CVE-2020-14573 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE product of Oracle Java SE (component: Hotspot). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 11.0.7 and 14.0.1. 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: Applies to client and server deployment of Java. This vulnerability can be exploited through sandboxed Java Web Start applications and sandboxed Java applets. It can also be exploited by supplying data to APIs in the specified Component without using sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets, such as through a web service. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 3.7 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/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 • 11/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14573 resides within the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE, specifically affecting versions 11.0.7 and 14.0.1. This represents a significant security weakness that operates at the core of Java's runtime environment, where the Hotspot JVM handles bytecode execution and memory management. The vulnerability manifests as a flaw in the Java Hotspot runtime that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who gain network access to systems running affected Java versions. This issue is particularly concerning because it affects both client and server deployments of Java, making it applicable to a broad spectrum of computing environments from desktop applications to enterprise servers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows for unauthorized modification of data within the Java SE environment, specifically enabling attackers to perform update, insert, or delete operations on accessible data. This represents an integrity impact that aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and follows the ATT&CK framework's tactic of privilege escalation through software exploitation. The vulnerability's exploitability is rated as difficult but achievable, requiring only network access without authentication, which means attackers can leverage various network protocols to reach vulnerable systems. The attack surface extends beyond traditional sandboxed applications to include web services and APIs that interface with the affected Hotspot component, making it particularly dangerous in modern distributed computing environments where applications frequently communicate through web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it can lead to data corruption or manipulation within Java applications, potentially affecting the integrity of critical business processes that rely on Java-based systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness through multiple vectors including Java Web Start applications and applets, which are commonly used for deploying Java applications in web environments. However, the vulnerability is not limited to sandboxed environments, as it can also be triggered through direct API calls to the affected component, making it applicable to scenarios where Java services are exposed through web interfaces or internal APIs. This dual exploitation capability significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against in complex enterprise environments where Java applications are extensively used.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, application developers should review their Java-based applications to ensure proper input validation and sanitization, particularly for APIs that handle data manipulation operations. The CVSS score of 3.7 indicates a moderate severity level, but the potential for data integrity compromise makes this vulnerability worthy of immediate attention. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous data modification patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under integrity impacts aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management, where such flaws require careful assessment and timely remediation to prevent potential data breaches or service disruptions in Java-dependent environments.