CVE-2024-21068 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
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: 8u401-perf, 11.0.22, 17.0.10, 21.0.2, 22; Oracle GraalVM for JDK: 17.0.10, 21.0.2 and 22; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 21.3.9. 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 update, insert or delete access to some of 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 3.7 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
This vulnerability exists within the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE and related GraalVM implementations, representing a significant security risk that can be exploited through multiple network protocols without requiring authentication. The affected versions span across several major Java releases including 8u401-perf, 11.0.22, 17.0.10, 21.0.2, and 22 for standard Java SE, along with corresponding GraalVM versions. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires some level of network access and potentially specific conditions to be met, the attack surface remains substantial given Java's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and client applications. This aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses that can lead to unauthorized data modifications through API interfaces.
The technical flaw manifests as an integrity impact vulnerability that allows attackers to perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on accessible data within the Java runtime environment. The attack vector operates through network protocols and leverages APIs within the specified component, making it particularly dangerous for web services that interface with Java APIs. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway through web services demonstrates how modern application architectures can create attack surfaces that extend beyond traditional network boundaries. This behavior corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for API abuse and T1068 for local privilege escalation through application interfaces. The security implications are particularly severe when considering that Java deployments often run sandboxed applications such as Java Web Start applications or applets that load untrusted code from the internet, relying on the Java sandbox for protection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple deployment scenarios including enterprise Java applications, client-side Java applications, and server-side web services that utilize Java APIs. Organizations running affected Java versions face potential data corruption or unauthorized modifications that could compromise data integrity and potentially lead to more severe consequences if combined with other vulnerabilities. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 3.7 indicates a moderate severity level, but this assessment should not underestimate the potential damage in production environments where Java applications handle sensitive data. The vulnerability's applicability to both standard Java SE and GraalVM implementations means that organizations must assess their entire Java ecosystem, including client-side deployments, to determine full impact. This vulnerability represents a critical concern for organizations using Java-based web services and applications that rely on API interfaces for data processing, as the attack could potentially compromise data integrity through malicious API requests or by exploiting the sandboxed application execution paths. The potential for exploitation through untrusted code loading mechanisms within Java applets and Web Start applications creates a particularly dangerous scenario where end-user systems could be compromised through web-based attacks. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized data modification activities within their Java-based environments.