CVE-2021-35588 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2021
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Hotspot). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 7u311, 8u301; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.3 and 21.2.0. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Note: This vulnerability applies to Java deployments, typically in clients running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets, 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 3.1 Base Score 3.1 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
This vulnerability resides within the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition, representing a significant security weakness that affects specific version ranges including Java SE 7u311 and 8u301 along with GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.3 and 21.2.0. The vulnerability classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack vector is accessible, it requires specific conditions and circumstances to be successfully executed. The CVSS 3.1 score of 3.1 with a vector of AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L places this vulnerability in the low severity category but with specific implications for availability impact. The attack requires network access and can be executed through multiple protocols, making it particularly concerning for environments where network-based attacks are possible.
The technical flaw manifests in the handling of untrusted code execution within sandboxed environments, particularly affecting Java Web Start applications and applets that rely on Java sandbox security mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the security boundaries that separate trusted and untrusted code execution contexts, potentially allowing attackers to bypass these protective measures. The requirement for human interaction suggests that the attack typically involves social engineering elements where users must perform specific actions such as clicking on malicious links or downloading compromised content. This human factor significantly increases the attack surface in environments where users frequently interact with internet-based content and applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is characterized by partial denial of service conditions that can affect the availability of Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition implementations. While the attack does not provide direct access to system resources or data confidentiality breaches, the partial DOS capability can disrupt normal application functionality and user experience. The vulnerability's applicability to sandboxed environments means that organizations using Java Web Start applications or applets are particularly at risk, as these deployment models are designed to execute untrusted code within restricted environments. The exploitation can occur through APIs within the affected component, indicating that web services providing data to these APIs could serve as attack vectors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies focusing on updating to patched versions of the affected Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition releases. The vulnerability's designation as affecting sandboxed environments necessitates careful review of application deployment models and security configurations. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure to potentially compromised systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's low severity score should not be interpreted as a low risk, as the partial DOS impact can significantly affect business operations and user productivity. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-248: Uncaught Exception, which represents an exception that is not properly handled by the application, potentially leading to system instability and availability issues. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1211: Exploitation for Defense Evasion, where attackers may use availability impacts to disrupt system functionality and potentially cover their tracks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in the Java runtime environment.