CVE-2019-2964 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Concurrency). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 7u231, 8u221, 11.0.4 and 13; Java SE Embedded: 8u221. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE, Java SE Embedded. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Java SE, Java SE Embedded. Note: This vulnerability can only be exploited by supplying data to APIs in the specified Component without using Untrusted Java Web Start applications or Untrusted Java applets, such as through a web service. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.7 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2964 resides within the concurrency component of Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms, representing a significant concern for system availability and stability. This weakness specifically affects multiple Java SE versions including 7u231, 8u221, 11.0.4, and 13, alongside Java SE Embedded version 8u221, indicating a broad impact across the Java ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit suggests that while the attack vector is accessible, it requires specific conditions and technical expertise to successfully compromise target systems. The CVSS 3.0 score of 3.7 with a vector of AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L demonstrates that this is a network-based vulnerability that requires high attack complexity but offers no privilege requirements, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment scenarios.
The technical flaw manifests within the concurrency handling mechanisms of Java's runtime environment, where improper synchronization or race condition vulnerabilities allow an unauthenticated attacker to manipulate concurrent execution paths. This particular weakness operates through multiple network protocols, indicating that the vulnerability is not limited to a single communication channel but can be exploited across various network interfaces and connection methods. The attack requires the submission of crafted data to specific APIs within the affected component, eliminating the possibility of exploitation through traditional web applet or Java Web Start mechanisms. This restriction means that the vulnerability is more likely to be exploited through direct API calls, web services, or other programmatic interfaces rather than through browser-based attacks, though it still represents a significant threat vector for networked applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2964 is characterized by partial denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt Java application functionality and system availability. While the vulnerability does not provide unauthorized access to data or system modification capabilities, its ability to cause partial DOS represents a substantial risk for enterprise environments where Java applications form critical components of business operations. The partial nature of the denial of service suggests that applications may experience degraded performance, intermittent failures, or specific service interruptions rather than complete system crashes, though this still represents a significant operational risk. Organizations relying on Java-based services for mission-critical operations could face substantial downtime or performance degradation, particularly in high-throughput environments where concurrent processing is essential.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java versions, with particular attention to the specific releases mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's requirement for data submission to specific APIs means that input validation and sanitization should be enhanced for all API endpoints within affected Java applications. Security teams should consider implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all Java-based systems that might be exposed to this risk. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would likely include techniques related to denial of service and system resource exhaustion, while CWE categorization would align with concurrency-related weaknesses such as race conditions or improper synchronization mechanisms. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be reinforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating in production environments, particularly given the broad scope of affected Java versions.