CVE-2019-2973 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: JAXP). 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 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 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2973 resides within the Java XML Processing (JAXP) component of Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms. This issue affects multiple version streams including Java SE 7u231, 8u221, 11.0.4, and 13, alongside Java SE Embedded 8u221, representing a significant attack surface across the Java ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions for successful exploitation, the potential impact remains substantial for affected systems. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 3.7 with a base score reflecting availability impacts demonstrates that this vulnerability primarily targets system availability rather than confidentiality or integrity, though it operates within the broader context of Java security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests in the JAXP processing mechanisms that handle XML data parsing and transformation within Java applications. This vulnerability specifically affects deployments where untrusted code is executed within sandboxed environments, particularly through Java Web Start applications or applets that rely on the Java sandbox security model for protection. The attack vector requires network access and can be leveraged through multiple protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications interact with external data sources. The vulnerability's exploitation scenario involves an unauthenticated attacker who can compromise Java deployments by supplying malicious XML content that triggers the vulnerable JAXP processing code paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to partial denial of service conditions that can significantly disrupt Java application functionality and system availability. Systems running affected Java versions that process XML data from untrusted sources become vulnerable to attacks that can render applications partially inoperable or cause system instability. This is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Java applications form the backbone of business-critical systems and services. The vulnerability's applicability to both client-side sandboxed applications and server-side web services that utilize JAXP APIs creates a broad attack surface that spans multiple deployment scenarios and operational contexts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest supported versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted network traffic. The principle of least privilege should be applied to Java runtime environments, restricting the ability of applications to process untrusted XML data without proper validation and sanitization. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability relates to CWE-129 Input Validation and OWASP Top Ten category A03:2021 - Injection, highlighting the fundamental security principle that untrusted input processing must be properly validated and sanitized. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1211 Lateral Movement and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, emphasizing the potential for attackers to use this vulnerability as a means of disrupting system availability and potentially establishing further footholds within compromised environments.