CVE-2023-21954 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: Hotspot). Supported versions that are affected are Oracle Java SE: 8u361, 8u361-perf, 11.0.18, 17.0.6; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.9, 21.3.5 and 22.3.1. Difficult to exploit 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 access to critical data or complete access to all 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 5.9 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
This vulnerability resides within the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple supported versions including Java SE 8u361, 8u361-perf, 11.0.18, 17.0.6 and GraalVM Enterprise Edition 20.3.9, 21.3.5, and 22.3.1. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the JVM's execution engine, specifically targeting the Hotspot virtual machine that handles bytecode execution and memory management. The CVSS score of 5.9 indicates a medium severity threat with high attack complexity and no required privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers. This weakness stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow malicious code to bypass security restrictions within the Java sandbox environment, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access and potential complete system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of memory operations and code execution within the Hotspot JVM, where attackers can leverage specific API calls or protocol interactions to manipulate the execution flow of sandboxed applications. This vulnerability specifically impacts deployments where untrusted code is executed within sandboxed environments such as Java Web Start applications or applets, which rely on the Java security model to isolate potentially malicious code from the underlying system resources. The attack vector utilizes multiple network protocols, suggesting that the vulnerability can be exploited through various communication channels including HTTP, HTTPS, or other network services that may interact with the affected Java components. The exploit requires minimal user interaction as it operates without requiring user authentication or specific system privileges, making it particularly dangerous for systems running vulnerable Java implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete access to all data accessible through the affected Java environment. This represents a critical risk for enterprise systems where Java applications handle sensitive information, financial data, or personal user information. The vulnerability's applicability to both Oracle Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition creates a broad attack surface, as these technologies are widely deployed across different organizational environments including web applications, enterprise software platforms, and development environments. Organizations utilizing sandboxed Java applications that load untrusted code from external sources face the highest risk, as the security model that protects these applications becomes compromised. The potential for complete data access means that attackers could extract sensitive databases, application configurations, or user credentials that are processed through vulnerable Java components.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Oracle security updates, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the identified Hotspot vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to vulnerable Java applications, particularly those exposed to untrusted networks or internet-facing services. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting the execution of untrusted code and implementing additional sandboxing measures beyond the default Java security model. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual memory access patterns or unexpected network communications. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Java versions and implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which addresses "Uncaught Exception" and improper error handling in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell execution and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that address both network-level and application-level threats.