CVE-2020-2816 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: 11.0.6 and 14. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTPS to compromise Java SE. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Java SE accessible data. 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 7.5 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2816 resides within the Java Secure Socket Extension component of Oracle Java SE, specifically affecting versions 11.0.6 and 14. This issue represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who have network access through HTTPS connections. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level where Java SE's JSSE implementation fails to properly validate certain cryptographic parameters during SSL/TLS handshakes. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the SSL/TLS protocol negotiation process, potentially enabling them to establish connections with compromised integrity. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-310 as Cryptographic Issues, specifically involving weaknesses in cryptographic protocols and implementations. The CVSS 3.0 score of 7.5 indicates a high severity level with a low attack complexity and no required privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java SE applications are exposed to untrusted networks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the SSL/TLS handshake process within the JSSE component. Attackers can leverage this weakness by sending specially crafted data to APIs within the affected Java SE component without requiring any privileged access or user interaction. The vulnerability specifically targets the integrity validation mechanisms that should ensure data consistency during secure communications. When an attacker successfully exploits this weakness, they can potentially create, modify, or delete critical data within the Java SE environment. The attack vector is classified as network-based, meaning that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the system. The successful exploitation results in integrity impacts as outlined in the CVSS vector, where the attacker can achieve unauthorized modification access to all Java SE accessible data. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the cryptographic security model that Java SE relies upon for secure communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2816 extends beyond simple data integrity violations, as it can potentially allow attackers to compromise the entire Java SE runtime environment. Organizations running affected Java SE versions are at risk of unauthorized data manipulation, which could lead to significant business disruption and potential financial losses. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects critical data access controls within the Java runtime, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information processed by Java applications. Systems that rely on Java SE for secure web services, enterprise applications, or any HTTPS-based communication are particularly vulnerable to this attack vector. The fact that this vulnerability cannot be exploited through Java Web Start applications or applets means that traditional browser-based attack vectors are not applicable, but network-based service interfaces remain at risk. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized modification of data that should remain protected within the Java SE environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2816 should focus on immediate patching of affected Java SE versions to the latest supported releases from Oracle. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual SSL/TLS handshake patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation should be employed to limit exposure of Java SE applications to untrusted networks where possible. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Java SE versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally, organizations should review their Java application configurations to ensure that proper cryptographic protocols are enforced and that deprecated SSL/TLS versions are disabled. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1547.001 for Windows Remote Services and T1071.002 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it involves exploitation of secure communication protocols to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous data modification patterns that might indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations are effective against potential exploitation attempts.