CVE-2024-21208 is a low-severity vulnerability affecting Oracle GraalVM for JDK and Oracle Java SE. The vulnerability, which has a CVSS score of 3.7, allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to exploit the vulnerability through multiple protocols, potentially leading to a partial denial of service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability primarily impacts Java deployments in environments that run untrusted code, such as sandboxed Java Web Start applications or applets.
Organizations should assess their use of affected versions, including Oracle Java SE 8u421, 11.0.24, and 21.0.4, as well as GraalVM versions 20.3.15 and 21.3.11. Although the exploitation complexity is considered high, the potential risk to availability necessitates a prompt response from security teams.
Risk to organizations includes potential disruptions in service availability due to unauthorized attacks. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations running applications that load untrusted code should prioritize patching to maintain security integrity and operational continuity.
Immediate action is recommended to update to the latest versions of the affected Oracle products. As of now, there are no known exploits in the wild, but the security landscape is ever-evolving, and vigilance is required.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2024-21208 is classified as a vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM for JDK, and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition products. The vulnerability affects several supported versions, including Oracle Java SE 8u421, 8u421-perf, 11.0.24, 17.0.12, 21.0.4, and 23, along with Oracle GraalVM for JDK versions 17.0.12, 21.0.4, and 23. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-203, indicating an exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor.
The CVSS score of 3.7 signifies a low severity level with impacts primarily focused on availability. The attack vector is network-based, with high complexity required for successful exploitation. No privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2024-21208 lies in the Networking component of the Oracle Java SE and GraalVM products. The vulnerability allows for unauthenticated access, which can be exploited through various network protocols. Although the attack complexity is rated as high, the potential for availability impact remains a concern. An attacker would need to carefully craft network requests to exploit the vulnerability, which underscores the necessity for proper security controls.
There are no privileges required for exploitation, and user interaction is not necessary, making it easier for attackers to leverage this vulnerability in environments where untrusted code is executed. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated as none, while the availability impact is rated as low.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing Oracle Java SE and GraalVM should recognize the potential risks associated with CVE-2024-21208. The vulnerability poses a notable risk in environments where untrusted code is executed, particularly in client-side applications relying on Java Web Start or applets. The potential for unauthorized partial denial of service could disrupt service availability, impacting user experience and operational capabilities.
Given the low severity classification, organizations may not perceive an immediate threat; however, proactive measures are essential. The presence of this vulnerability in network-accessible environments necessitates prioritization in patch management processes to mitigate any exploitation risk before it escalates.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard against potential disruptions and enhance overall security posture.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Oracle products include:
Oracle Java SE: 8u421, 8u421-perf, 11.0.24, 17.0.12, 21.0.4, 23; Oracle GraalVM for JDK: 17.0.12, 21.0.4, 23; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.15 and 21.3.11.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations are advised to update to the latest versions of Oracle Java SE and GraalVM. If a patch is unavailable, implement strong network controls to limit access to untrusted code execution environments. Organizations should also consider reviewing their Java deployment configurations to ensure only trusted code is executed.
Further, security teams should conduct regular assessments of their systems and applications to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively. Ensuring that Java deployments only accept trusted code can significantly reduce the potential attack surface.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for unusual network traffic patterns, especially from untrusted sources. Maintain logs of Java application executions, focusing on any attempts to load untrusted code. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in Java applications may indicate exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The emergence of CVE-2024-21208 highlights the ongoing necessity for organizations to pay close attention to vulnerabilities in runtime environments like Java. As many applications rely on Java for running untrusted code, ensuring that security measures are in place is critical in mitigating risks.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even low-severity vulnerabilities can pose significant risks if not addressed promptly. Organizations should take proactive measures to maintain security integrity.
For further insights on managing vulnerabilities, organizations are encouraged to explore resources on vulnerability management programs and implement best practices for application security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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