CVE-2018-3136 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Security). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 6u201, 7u191, 8u182 and 11; Java SE Embedded: 8u181. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE, Java SE Embedded. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Java SE, Java SE Embedded, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Java SE, Java SE Embedded accessible data. Note: This vulnerability applies to Java deployments, typically in clients running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets (in Java SE 8), that load and run untrusted code (e.g. code that comes from the internet) and rely on the Java sandbox for security. This vulnerability does not apply to Java deployments, typically in servers, that load and run only trusted code (e.g. code installed by an administrator). CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.4 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3136 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms that significantly impacts the integrity of affected systems. This vulnerability resides in the Security subcomponent of Java SE, specifically targeting versions 6u201, 7u191, 8u182, 11 for Java SE and 8u181 for Java SE Embedded. The flaw manifests as a difficulty to exploit condition that requires minimal attacker privileges, allowing unauthenticated network-based attacks to compromise the affected Java implementations. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates through multiple network protocols and can affect systems running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or applets, which are commonly deployed in client environments where untrusted code execution is anticipated.
The technical nature of CVE-2018-3136 stems from weaknesses in Java's security model that enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to modify data within the Java environment. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-284, which encompasses improper access control issues in software systems. The attack vector requires network access from an unauthenticated source, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications are executed with minimal user verification. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 3.4, indicating a moderate severity level with integrity impacts, though the specific vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N) reveals that the attack requires human interaction to succeed, suggesting that social engineering or user deception may be necessary for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate Java environment, potentially affecting additional products that rely on Java SE or Embedded implementations for their security posture. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against data accessible through the Java runtime environment, which represents a significant compromise of data integrity. This vulnerability particularly affects client-side deployments where sandboxed applications execute untrusted code from internet sources, creating a dangerous attack surface that adversaries can leverage to modify or corrupt data within the Java sandbox environment. The requirement for human interaction, while making exploitation more challenging, does not eliminate the threat as attackers can employ social engineering tactics to convince users to interact with malicious Java content.
Organizations must implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address CVE-2018-3136, including immediate patching of affected Java versions to the latest security releases. The recommended approach aligns with ATT&CK framework concepts related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, as organizations should consider disabling or restricting Java applet execution in browsers, implementing strict network access controls, and deploying application whitelisting solutions. System administrators should also review and harden Java security policies, particularly focusing on sandbox configurations and network restrictions for Java-based applications. The vulnerability's nature suggests that traditional network-based security controls may be insufficient, requiring additional application-level security measures and user education to prevent successful exploitation attempts. Organizations running server-side Java applications that execute only trusted code are less vulnerable, but should still maintain updated security configurations to prevent potential lateral movement attacks that could compromise other system components.