CVE-2024-20918 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2024
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM for JDK, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Hotspot). Supported versions that are affected are Oracle Java SE: 8u391, 8u391-perf, 11.0.21, 17.0.9, 21.0.1; Oracle GraalVM for JDK: 17.0.9, 21.0.1; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.12, 21.3.8 and 22.3.4. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM for JDK, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM for JDK, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition accessible data as well as unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM for JDK, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition accessible data. Note: This vulnerability can be exploited by using APIs in the specified Component, e.g., through a web service which supplies data to the APIs. This vulnerability also 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. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2025
This vulnerability resides within the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE and its related GraalVM implementations, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental integrity of Java runtime environments. The affected versions span across multiple Java SE releases including 8u391, 11.0.21, 17.0.9, and 21.0.1, alongside corresponding GraalVM editions, indicating a widespread impact across both standard and enterprise Java distributions. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit yet capable of enabling unauthorized data manipulation and access highlights its potential for serious operational disruption.
The technical nature of this flaw enables an unauthenticated attacker to compromise system integrity through network-based attacks leveraging multiple protocols, with the attack surface extending to Java deployments in sandboxed environments such as Java Web Start applications and applets. This presents a particularly concerning threat vector since it can be triggered through APIs within the affected component, potentially via web services that process external data inputs. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway through sandboxed applications demonstrates how attackers can bypass traditional security boundaries, as these environments typically rely on Java's sandbox mechanisms for protection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as successful exploitation can result in unauthorized modification, deletion, or creation of critical data within the affected systems, potentially leading to complete data compromise. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.4 reflects the high severity of both confidentiality and integrity impacts, with the attack complexity being high but still achievable. This vulnerability specifically targets the core runtime functionality of Java applications, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Java-based applications handle sensitive data and business-critical operations.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability in relation to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) as it represents a fundamental breakdown in access control mechanisms within the Java runtime environment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and potentially T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code through the affected APIs. Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including patching affected systems, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability's applicability to both standard Java deployments and GraalVM environments underscores the need for comprehensive security assessments across all Java-based infrastructure. Given that these environments often process untrusted data from internet sources, the risk of exploitation increases significantly in organizations that deploy sandboxed Java applications. Mitigation strategies should include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strict firewall rules, and conducting thorough code reviews of applications that utilize the vulnerable APIs. Additionally, organizations should consider migrating to more secure runtime environments or implementing additional layers of security controls to protect against potential exploitation attempts.