CVE-2022-21277 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2022
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: ImageIO). Supported versions that are affected are Oracle Java SE: 11.0.13, 17.0.1; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.4 and 21.3.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Oracle 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 5.3 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21277 resides within the Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition image processing components, specifically within the ImageIO framework. This flaw represents a critical security gap that affects Java SE versions 11.0.13 and 17.01, as well as GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.4 and 21.3.0. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of image processing and security boundaries, where the ImageIO component fails to properly validate image data structures during parsing operations. This weakness creates a potential attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted image data might be processed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the image parsing mechanisms of the Java ImageIO API. When the affected Java runtime processes image files, particularly those with malformed or crafted image data structures, the system fails to properly sanitize the input before attempting to decode or render the image. This allows attackers to manipulate the parsing behavior in ways that can lead to resource exhaustion or memory corruption. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage multiple network protocols to deliver malicious payloads, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where image data is commonly served from external sources. According to CWE-20, this vulnerability maps to improper input validation, a fundamental weakness that has been consistently exploited in various security breaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21277 manifests primarily as a partial denial of service condition that affects the availability of Java applications running on affected versions. Successful exploitation can cause applications to consume excessive system resources or crash entirely, disrupting normal operations for users and administrators. The vulnerability's scope extends beyond simple application crashes to include potential memory corruption that could lead to more severe consequences depending on the execution environment. Organizations running Java applications that process image data from untrusted sources face significant risk, particularly in web applications, Java applets, and Java Web Start deployments where sandboxing mechanisms may not fully protect against such attacks. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.3 reflects the moderate severity of availability impacts, though the potential for escalation exists in environments where additional attack vectors are present.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses various deployment scenarios including web applications that process user-uploaded images, content management systems, and any Java applications that utilize the ImageIO framework for image handling. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where the Java sandbox is relied upon for security isolation, as the flaw can bypass sandbox protections when processing malicious image data. Organizations using Java-based web services that accept image data through APIs are also at risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through data processing APIs that utilize the affected ImageIO components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of system and network reconnaissance to identify potential attack vectors, and T1499, which covers network disruption and denial of service attacks. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be performed remotely, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt services without requiring extensive access rights.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21277 should focus on immediate patching of affected Java installations, particularly for Oracle Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted image data sources. Input validation controls should be strengthened at application boundaries to filter potentially malicious image data before it reaches the ImageIO processing components. Regular monitoring and logging of image processing activities can help detect exploitation attempts, while application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on unusual image processing patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing controls beyond the default Java sandbox, particularly for applications that process untrusted image data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices, aligning with industry standards such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also review their Java application architectures to minimize reliance on potentially vulnerable image processing components and consider alternative image handling libraries that have been more thoroughly vetted for security issues.