CVE-2024-20926 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: Scripting). Supported versions that are affected are Oracle Java SE: 8u391, 8u391-perf, 11.0.21; Oracle GraalVM for JDK: 17.0.9; 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 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 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 • 05/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20926 resides within the scripting component of Oracle Java SE and its associated GraalVM implementations, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple versions of the Java runtime environment. This vulnerability specifically targets the scripting capabilities that enable execution of dynamic code within the Java platform, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit. The affected versions include Oracle Java SE 8u391, 8u391-perf, and 11.0.21, along with various GraalVM implementations including JDK 17.0.9 and Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.12, 21.3.8, and 22.3.4, indicating a broad impact across the Java ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit suggests that while it requires some level of technical expertise to leverage, it remains a serious concern due to its potential for unauthorized data access and system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the scripting component's handling of untrusted input or code execution pathways, particularly when these components are exposed through network-accessible APIs or web services. This vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the Java runtime environment where scripting engines are utilized to execute dynamic code, creating opportunities for attackers to bypass traditional security mechanisms. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.9 with a vector of AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N indicates a medium severity vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without authentication, requiring high attack complexity but offering significant confidentiality impact. The vulnerability's applicability extends beyond traditional server deployments to include client-side environments such as Java Web Start applications and applets that rely on sandboxing mechanisms for security protection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all data accessible through the affected Java environments. This represents a serious threat to organizations that depend on Java-based applications and services, particularly those that utilize scripting capabilities for dynamic functionality. The vulnerability's relevance to Java deployments in client environments means that end-user systems running sandboxed applications may also be at risk, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code within the confines of the Java sandbox or bypass sandbox protections entirely. Organizations utilizing these affected Java versions must consider the broad attack surface that includes both server-side web services and client-side applications that may be exposed to untrusted code execution scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Oracle security updates, as well as implementing network-level restrictions to limit exposure of vulnerable scripting APIs to untrusted networks. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary scripting capabilities in production environments and implementing strict input validation and sanitization measures for any applications that utilize scripting components. The vulnerability's relationship to CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) categories related to insecure scripting and code execution mechanisms, along with potential ATT&CK framework mappings to initial access and execution techniques, emphasizes the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patch management. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their Java-based applications to identify and remediate any unnecessary dependencies on vulnerable scripting components while maintaining proper monitoring for potential exploitation attempts.