CVE-2020-2655 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE product of Oracle Java SE (component: JSSE). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 11.0.5 and 13.0.1. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTPS 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 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 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 4.8 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2655 represents a significant security flaw within the Java Secure Socket Extension component of Oracle Java SE, specifically affecting versions 11.0.5 and 13.0.1. This vulnerability operates at the network level and can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who have network access through HTTPS protocols. The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the JSSE implementation that governs secure communications. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation, and potentially CWE-310 which covers cryptographic issues in the implementation. The attack vector requires network access and presents a high complexity requirement for exploitation, making it challenging but not impossible for adversaries to leverage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, as it enables unauthorized modification of Java SE accessible data through update, insert, and delete operations. Additionally, attackers can gain unauthorized read access to specific subsets of data within the Java SE environment. This vulnerability particularly affects Java deployments in sandboxed environments such as Java Web Start applications or applets where untrusted code execution is permitted. The security model relies heavily on the Java sandbox mechanism to isolate potentially malicious code, but this weakness in the JSSE component undermines that protection. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning in web service environments where APIs in the affected component receive data from external sources, creating potential attack surfaces for remote exploitation. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns a base score of 4.8, indicating a medium severity vulnerability with low impact on availability but significant implications for both confidentiality and integrity as reflected in the vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2655 should focus on immediate patch management and deployment of Oracle's security updates for affected Java SE versions. Organizations must ensure that all Java installations are updated to patched versions that address the certificate validation flaws within the JSSE component. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous HTTPS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary Java applet and Web Start functionality in browsers and enterprise environments where these technologies are not essential. The implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual certificate validation behaviors. Additionally, organizations should review their Java deployment policies to minimize the execution of untrusted code in sandboxed environments and consider adopting more robust security frameworks such as Java Security Manager with stricter policy configurations. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the credential access and defense evasion categories, as it enables attackers to potentially bypass security controls and access protected data through compromised secure communication channels.