CVE-2023-21939 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2023
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Swing). Supported versions that are affected are Oracle Java SE: 8u361, 8u361-perf, 11.0.18, 17.0.6, 20; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.9, 21.3.5 and 22.3.1. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition accessible data. 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 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
This vulnerability exists within the Oracle Java SE Swing component and affects multiple Java SE versions including 8u361, 8u361-perf, 11.0.18, 17.0.6, and 20, as well as GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.9, 21.3.5, and 22.3.1. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the Swing framework's handling of certain data structures that are processed through HTTP connections, making it accessible to unauthenticated attackers who can exploit it remotely. The vulnerability is classified as easily exploitable due to its accessibility through standard network protocols and the lack of authentication requirements for exploitation. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration standard, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20, which represents "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to inadequate validation of input data that can lead to various security issues including data manipulation. The attack vector requires network access via HTTP and can be executed by attackers who do not need to be authenticated to the system.
The technical flaw manifests when Java applications that utilize the Swing component process untrusted data received through HTTP connections. This typically occurs in sandboxed environments such as Java Web Start applications or applets that load code from untrusted sources over the internet. The vulnerability allows for unauthorized modification of data within the affected Java applications, specifically enabling attackers to perform insert, update, or delete operations on accessible data within the application's scope. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 5.3, which reflects the integrity impact of 0.86, indicating that while the attack requires no user interaction or privileges, it can result in significant data manipulation. The attack complexity is rated as low, meaning that exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard network-based attacks without requiring specialized tools or conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to potentially compromise the overall security posture of Java applications deployed in enterprise environments. Organizations running affected Java versions in production environments face risks of unauthorized data modification, which could lead to data corruption, information leakage, or disruption of business processes that rely on the integrity of Java-based applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Java applications are used to process sensitive information or where data consistency is critical for business operations. The security implications are exacerbated by the fact that this vulnerability affects applications that typically operate within sandboxed environments, meaning that attackers who can successfully exploit this vulnerability may gain unauthorized access to data within the application's operational scope. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1566, which covers "Phishing for Information", as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate application data.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the relevant security patches and updates provided by Oracle for the affected Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions. Organizations should prioritize updating their Java installations to versions that contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability, particularly focusing on the specific versions mentioned in the CVE description. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help prevent unauthorized access to Java applications that may be vulnerable to this attack. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary HTTP services and restricting network access to Java applications that are running in vulnerable versions. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated applications to ensure that the security patches do not introduce compatibility issues or regressions in functionality. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Java ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as these measures can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized data manipulation attacks.