CVE-2024-20923 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2024
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: JavaFX). Supported versions that are affected are Oracle Java SE: 8u391; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.12 and 21.3.8. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset 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 does not apply to Java deployments, typically in servers, that load and run only trusted code (e.g., code installed by an administrator). CVSS 3.1 Base Score 3.1 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
This vulnerability resides within the JavaFX component of Oracle Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition, representing a significant security concern for client-side Java deployments. The flaw affects specific version ranges including Java SE 8u391 and GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.12 and 21.3.8, making it particularly relevant for environments that utilize sandboxed Java applications. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires some level of sophistication from an attacker, the attack vector is accessible through multiple network protocols, suggesting a broad potential attack surface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation within the JavaFX framework that allows for unauthorized data access through sandboxed Java Web Start applications or applets. This represents a classic sandbox escape scenario where an attacker can potentially access sensitive data within the application's restricted environment. The requirement for human interaction indicates that successful exploitation typically involves social engineering elements where users must perform specific actions to trigger the vulnerability, though the underlying flaw remains in the Java runtime's security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily as unauthorized read access to a subset of data within affected Java deployments. This confidentiality impact, while not allowing for complete system compromise or data modification, still represents a significant risk for environments where sensitive information might be processed through sandboxed Java applications. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 3.1 reflects the relatively low severity but high risk potential, particularly in enterprise environments where Java applets and Web Start applications might still be in use for legacy applications. The vulnerability's applicability is specifically limited to client-side deployments that load untrusted code, which aligns with the common usage patterns of Java applets and Web Start applications in enterprise settings.
The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges with sandboxed environments and the potential for privilege escalation through carefully crafted attacks. Organizations should note that this vulnerability does not affect server-side Java deployments that run trusted code, indicating that the risk is primarily concentrated in client environments where legacy Java applications continue to operate. The attack vector through multiple protocols suggests that network-based exploitation is feasible, though the requirement for user interaction reduces the automated attack potential.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, though organizations must also consider the broader security posture of legacy Java applications. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to sandbox escapes and insufficient input validation aligns with established security patterns where application sandbox boundaries are improperly enforced. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious Java application behavior and consider disabling or migrating away from Java applets and Web Start applications where possible. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under techniques related to privilege escalation and sandbox escapes, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that reduce reliance on potentially vulnerable sandbox mechanisms. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all remaining Java applet and Web Start deployments that might be at risk from this vulnerability.