CVE-2022-21365 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: 7u321, 8u311, 11.0.13, 17.01; 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 • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21365 resides within the Oracle Java SE platform and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition, specifically within the ImageIO component that handles image file processing. This flaw affects multiple version lines including Java SE 7u321, 8u311, 11.0.13, and 17.01, as well as GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.4 and 21.3.0. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers who gain network access through various protocols. The CVSS score of 5.3 indicates a moderate severity level with availability impact, specifically targeting partial denial of service conditions. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a weakness related to improper input validation and insufficient validation of critical data structures during image processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the ImageIO component's handling of malformed or specially crafted image files that trigger unexpected behavior within the Java runtime environment. When Java applications process untrusted image data, particularly in sandboxed environments such as Java Web Start applications or applets, the vulnerable code path can be traversed without proper input sanitization. The attack vector leverages the fact that Java's sandbox security model relies on proper validation of input data, and when this validation fails during image processing, it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the execution flow. This vulnerability particularly affects deployments where applications load and execute code from untrusted sources, making it applicable to web services that process image data supplied through APIs. The weakness manifests in the improper handling of image metadata or file structures that can cause the Java Virtual Machine to enter an inconsistent state or consume excessive resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21365 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the stability and availability of critical Java-based applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to cause partial denial of service scenarios that may result in application crashes, resource exhaustion, or degraded performance for legitimate users. The vulnerability's applicability to sandboxed Java applications means that even when applications are designed to run in restricted environments, the flaw can still be leveraged to undermine system availability. Organizations running Java applications that process image data from external sources face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited through web services, file upload mechanisms, or any interface that accepts image content. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed over multiple network protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications are exposed to untrusted network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21365 should focus on immediate patch management and implementation of additional security controls. Oracle has released security patches for all affected versions, and organizations must prioritize deployment of these updates across all impacted systems. In addition to patching, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable Java applications to untrusted networks. Input validation measures should be strengthened at application boundaries to filter or reject potentially malicious image files before they reach the vulnerable ImageIO component. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting or sandboxing controls that restrict the execution environment of Java applications processing untrusted data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service) as it exploits client-side Java applications to achieve denial of service effects. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in Java-based applications that may not yet be patched or may have additional attack surface areas.