CVE-2024-20925 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 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 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 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/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 Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition, representing a significant security weakness that affects specific version ranges including Java SE 8u391 and GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.12 and 21.3.8. The flaw operates at the intersection of application sandboxing and network-based exploitation, creating a pathway for attackers to compromise system integrity through carefully crafted network interactions. The vulnerability classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack vector is not trivial, it remains a serious concern given the widespread use of Java-based applications in enterprise environments. The CVSS 3.1 score of 3.1 with a vector of AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N reflects the minimal network accessibility requirements, high attack complexity, and the necessity of human interaction for successful exploitation, while indicating limited confidentiality impact but moderate integrity impact.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the JavaFX framework that processes untrusted code in sandboxed environments. When Java applications execute within sandboxed environments such as Java Web Start applications or applets, they rely on Java's security model to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. However, this vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in the sandbox enforcement, particularly when dealing with code loaded from untrusted sources over network protocols. The requirement for human interaction suggests that the exploitation typically involves social engineering elements where users must perform specific actions such as clicking on malicious links or opening compromised files. This human factor interaction significantly reduces the automated attack surface but does not eliminate the threat entirely, as social engineering remains a persistent challenge in cybersecurity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as successful exploitation could enable unauthorized modification of data within the affected Java deployments. While the immediate impact appears limited to update, insert, or delete operations on accessible data, the broader implications are significant for environments where Java applications handle sensitive information. The vulnerability's applicability to client-side deployments that load untrusted code makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where employees frequently interact with web-based applications. Organizations running sandboxed Java applications that process internet-based content are at risk, while server-side deployments running only trusted code remain unaffected by this specific vulnerability. This distinction aligns with common security practices where client applications require more stringent sandboxing controls compared to server environments with controlled code sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, particularly in environments where Java applications process untrusted code from external sources. Organizations should prioritize updating to versions that contain the necessary security fixes, while simultaneously reviewing their Java deployment policies to ensure that only trusted code executes within sandboxed environments. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional layers of protection, though the vulnerability's nature as a sandbox escape requires fundamental security model validation. The implementation of security awareness training becomes crucial given the human interaction requirement, as users need to be educated about the risks of executing untrusted code from unknown sources. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and understanding the specific attack vectors that affect different Java deployment models. Compliance with industry standards such as those defined by CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) and ATT&CK framework becomes essential for organizations to properly categorize and address this type of sandbox escape vulnerability. The CVSS scoring system correctly identifies the moderate integrity impact while acknowledging the limited confidentiality and availability risks, emphasizing that this vulnerability primarily affects data modification capabilities within the Java sandbox environment.