CVE-2019-2426 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Networking). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 7u201, 8u192 and 11.0.1; Java SE Embedded: 8u191. 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 read access to a subset of Java SE 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 can also be exploited by using APIs in the specified Component, e.g., through a web service which supplies data to the APIs. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.7 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-2426 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Java SE's networking component that affects multiple versions including Java SE 7u201, 8u192, 11.0.1, and Java SE Embedded 8u191. This vulnerability operates at the network level and can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who have access to the network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications are deployed. The CVSS 3.0 score of 3.7 indicates a low to medium severity impact, though the vulnerability's potential for unauthorized data access cannot be understated given the widespread use of Java in enterprise environments.
The technical flaw lies within Java's networking subsystem where the vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized read access to a subset of Java SE accessible data through multiple network protocols. This weakness specifically targets Java deployments that operate in sandboxed environments, particularly those running Java Web Start applications or applets that load untrusted code from the internet. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental trust model that Java relies upon in its sandbox security implementation, where code loaded from untrusted sources should be restricted from accessing sensitive system resources. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200 which deals with exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and potentially CWE-502 which addresses deserialization of untrusted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it represents a breach in Java's core security architecture designed to isolate untrusted code from system resources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive data that would normally be protected by Java's sandbox mechanisms, potentially compromising confidential information stored within Java applications or systems. The vulnerability's applicability to web services that utilize Java APIs further expands its attack surface, making it a concern for any organization using Java-based web applications or services. Organizations that deploy Java applications in client environments where users might be exposed to untrusted content face particular risk, as the sandbox protection that should prevent such access is bypassed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2426 should focus on immediate patching of affected Java versions to the latest security releases provided by Oracle, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of Java applications to untrusted networks, while considering the deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting Java applications from accessing unnecessary system resources and by ensuring that sandboxed applications have minimal required permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all Java deployments within their environment and ensure that proper security configurations are implemented, particularly for Java Web Start applications and applets that might be vulnerable to this type of attack. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for application execution and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for defensive security teams.