CVE-2019-2999 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE product of Oracle Java SE (component: Javadoc). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 7u231, 8u221, 11.0.4 and 13. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Java SE, 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 accessible data as well as 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 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 4.7 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2999 resides within the Java SE documentation generation tool known as Javadoc, which is part of Oracle's Java Standard Edition platform. This security flaw affects multiple versions including Java SE 7u231, 8u221, 11.0.4, and 13, representing a significant attack surface across the Java ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions to be successfully leveraged, it remains a serious concern given Java's widespread deployment across enterprise environments. The attack vector requires network access and can be executed through multiple protocols, making it particularly challenging to defend against in complex network environments where Java applications are frequently deployed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Javadoc component that processes documentation files. When Java Web Start applications or sandboxed applets execute untrusted code from remote sources, the flawed Javadoc processing mechanism can be manipulated to execute malicious operations within the Java sandbox environment. This represents a classic case of inadequate sanitization of user-provided input, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, a fundamental weakness that frequently leads to security breaches in software applications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate Java SE components, potentially affecting other products that rely on Java for their operation due to the interconnected nature of modern software ecosystems.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2999 manifests through unauthorized data manipulation capabilities that allow attackers to perform update, insert, or delete operations on sensitive Java SE accessible data. Additionally, the vulnerability enables unauthorized read access to a subset of Java SE accessible data, creating potential exposure for confidential information stored within Java applications. The requirement for human interaction from someone other than the attacker suggests that social engineering or user deception may be necessary to successfully exploit this vulnerability, which aligns with the CVSS vector indicating user interaction as a factor. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with web-based Java applications or applets, as the attack surface expands beyond traditional network-based exploitation methods.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend significantly beyond the immediate Java SE deployment environment, as it can affect additional products that depend on Java for their functionality. Organizations running Java-based applications in client environments, particularly those utilizing sandboxed Java Web Start applications or applets, face heightened risk from this vulnerability. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 4.7 reflects the moderate severity of the impact, with confidentiality and integrity being the primary affected aspects. This vulnerability specifically targets the security model of Java sandboxing, which is designed to isolate untrusted code from the underlying system resources. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker who cannot directly access the system but can influence user interactions with Java applications through malicious websites or documents. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely fall under techniques related to privilege escalation and execution of malicious code within sandboxed environments, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing security controls around Java-based application execution and user interaction with remote content.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Java SE, disabling unnecessary Java Web Start applications and applet execution, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to Java-based applications. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly important for security teams to monitor user behavior and network traffic for potential exploitation attempts, as the requirement for human interaction suggests that user awareness training becomes a critical component of defense strategy. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls around code execution and input validation to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other components of their Java-based systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation across all application components rather than relying solely on sandboxing mechanisms.