CVE-2018-3150 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Utility). The supported version that is affected is Java SE: 11. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Java SE accessible data. Note: This vulnerability applies to Java deployments 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 3.7 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Java SE utility component and specifically affects Java SE version 11, representing a significant security weakness that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers with network access. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the Java runtime environment, leveraging the inherent trust model that Java applications rely upon for security isolation. The affected component's utility functions create an attack surface that allows malicious actors to potentially compromise the integrity of data within Java SE deployments. The CVSS 3.0 score of 3.7 indicates a low to medium severity issue, yet its classification as difficult to exploit suggests that while the attack vector is accessible, successful exploitation requires specific conditions and circumstances. The vulnerability's impact is primarily focused on integrity rather than confidentiality or availability, meaning that attackers could modify data but not necessarily access it or cause complete system failure. The security implications extend beyond simple data corruption as the vulnerability could enable unauthorized modifications to critical system components or user data stored within Java applications.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of untrusted code execution within Java's sandbox environment, which is designed to isolate potentially malicious code from the underlying system resources. When Java deployments load and execute code from untrusted sources, such as web applications or downloaded applets, the security boundaries that should protect the system become compromised. This vulnerability essentially undermines the sandbox security model by allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially inject malicious code that can modify or delete data within the Java runtime environment. The multi-protocol nature of the attack vector means that the vulnerability can be exploited across various network communication channels, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications interact with external systems through multiple network interfaces. The attack requires network access but does not demand authentication, which significantly broadens the potential attack surface and makes the vulnerability more accessible to attackers who may not have legitimate credentials to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations that deploy Java applications in environments where untrusted code execution is common, such as web applications, content management systems, or any platform that processes data from external sources. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized modifications of critical data, potentially compromising the integrity of business processes, user information, or system configurations. The vulnerability's applicability to Java deployments that load untrusted code means that web applications, online services, and distributed systems using Java as their primary runtime environment are at risk. Organizations that maintain server environments running only trusted code are not affected by this vulnerability, which creates a clear distinction between secure and vulnerable deployment models. The lack of user interaction requirements and the ability to exploit this vulnerability remotely makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can target systems without requiring user cooperation or specific system access. This vulnerability essentially represents a weakness in Java's security architecture that could enable data manipulation attacks against applications that rely on Java's sandbox security model for protection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive security measures that address both the immediate threat and broader system security posture. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Java SE 11, as Oracle would have released security updates to address this specific vulnerability. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help limit the exposure of Java applications to untrusted network traffic, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify unusual network activity or unauthorized data modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their Java application deployment models and ensure that only trusted code is executed within Java environments, particularly in web-facing applications. The principle of least privilege should be applied to Java runtime environments, limiting the permissions and capabilities available to Java applications. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities in their Java deployments and ensure that security measures remain effective against evolving threats. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog should be maintained, particularly regarding secure coding practices and runtime environment security. The ATT&CK framework's approach to identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in runtime environments aligns with the recommended strategies, emphasizing the importance of protecting application execution environments from malicious code injection and data manipulation attacks.