CVE-2024-20919 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2024
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. Note: This vulnerability can only be exploited by supplying data to APIs in the specified Component without using Untrusted Java Web Start applications or Untrusted Java applets, such as through a web service. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 5.9 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
This vulnerability resides within the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE and its associated GraalVM implementations, representing a significant integrity risk for systems running affected versions. The flaw manifests as a difficult-to-exploit issue that requires network access from an unauthenticated attacker, though the attack vector is particularly concerning due to its potential to affect critical data operations. The vulnerability specifically targets APIs within the Hotspot component, meaning that exploitation occurs through direct data injection rather than through traditional web applet or Java Web Start mechanisms, which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation or handling of input data within the Hotspot JVM runtime environment, which serves as the core execution engine for Java applications. This flaw allows an attacker to manipulate critical data through API endpoints without requiring authentication or user interaction, though the attack requires network connectivity and careful crafting of input data. The CVSS 3.1 scoring of 5.9 reflects the integrity impact, with a high attack complexity score indicating that while exploitation is possible, it requires specific conditions and technical knowledge to achieve successful compromise.
Systems running Oracle Java SE versions 8u391, 8u391-perf, 11.0.21, 17.0.9, and 21.0.1, along with the corresponding GraalVM implementations, face potential unauthorized modification of critical data. The operational impact extends beyond simple data corruption, as successful exploitation could lead to complete data modification or deletion, potentially compromising system integrity and data confidentiality. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions must consider the broader implications of such a vulnerability, particularly in environments where Java applications process sensitive information or serve as critical system components.
The attack scenario requires an unauthenticated network-based approach, meaning that attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring valid credentials. This characteristic aligns with common attack patterns found in the ATT&CK framework under the data manipulation and privilege escalation categories, though the specific vector is more focused on API exploitation rather than traditional privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to improper input validation or data handling within JVM components indicates the fundamental flaw lies in how the Hotspot component processes external data inputs.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest Oracle Java SE and GraalVM releases, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring for unusual API access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, application-level controls such as input validation and API rate limiting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability's specific targeting of Hotspot APIs means that organizations should also review their web service implementations to ensure proper data validation and authentication controls are in place, particularly for systems that expose Java APIs directly to external clients.