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CVE-2025-21553: Medium Vulnerability in Oracle Java Virtual Machine

A medium-severity vulnerability in the Oracle Java VM component can allow unauthorized access to sensitive data. Organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

MEDIUMCVSS 4.2 · Published January 21, 2025

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CVE-2025-21553 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. The vulnerability impacts several supported versions, specifically 19.3-19.25, 21.3-21.16, and 23.4-23.6. This vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker, who possesses specific privileges such as Create Session and Create Procedure, to exploit the Java VM through network access via Oracle Net. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized updates, inserts, or deletions of Java VM accessible data, as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of this data.

The CVSS 3.1 Base Score for this vulnerability is 4.2, reflecting its medium severity. The CVSS vector indicates that the attack vector is network-based, with high attack complexity and low privileges required, and no user interaction is needed. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both rated as low, while there is no availability impact.

Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Not only does it pose a risk to sensitive data, but it also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices to safeguard against potential exploits.

As of now, there are no known exploits or public proof-of-concept (PoC) available for this vulnerability. However, the potential for exploitation exists, and organizations should remain vigilant.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2025-21553 is characterized as a vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. The affected versions include 19.3-19.25, 21.3-21.16, and 23.4-23.6. The official description from Oracle indicates that this vulnerability allows a low privileged attacker with network access to compromise the Java VM.

The CVSS score of 4.2 indicates a medium level of severity due to the potential impacts on confidentiality and integrity of the data accessible via the Java VM. The CWE classification associated with this vulnerability is CWE-863, which refers to ‘Assignment of a Fixed Address to a Pointer’.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2025-21553 stems from insufficient validation of user inputs within the Java VM component. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can initiate unauthorized commands through a network connection, thereby compromising the integrity of the Java VM.

This vulnerability has a network attack vector, indicating that an attacker can exploit it over a network connection. The attack complexity is rated as high, meaning that successful exploitation requires considerable expertise and resources. Additionally, the privileges required for exploitation are low, which allows attackers to leverage existing permissions to execute their attacks.

User interaction is not required for this vulnerability, making it even more critical as it can be exploited without any action from the victim. The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are rated as low, indicating that while data may be compromised, the overall impact may not lead to severe consequences. There are no availability impacts associated with this vulnerability.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data within the Java VM, which can lead to data manipulation or exposure of confidential information. The vulnerability’s ability to be exploited over a network increases its potential impact, especially in environments where the Java VM is widely implemented.

The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is high given its potential for exploitation. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks associated with unauthorized data access. Additionally, this vulnerability exemplifies the need for robust security measures and regular updates to prevent similar issues in the future.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The vulnerable versions of the Oracle Java VM component are: 19.3 to 19.25, 21.3 to 21.16, and 23.4 to 23.6. Organizations should ensure that they are using versions that are patched and updated to mitigate this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations must apply the latest patches provided by Oracle to remediate this vulnerability effectively. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing additional network controls to restrict access to the Java VM component. Regularly reviewing security policies and conducting vulnerability assessments can also aid in identifying and mitigating similar vulnerabilities.

Penetration testing should also be utilized to identify potential weaknesses in the system.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts or unusual behaviors related to the Java VM component. Behavioral anomalies may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, implement network signatures that can detect potential exploitation attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2025-21553 lies in its potential to expose sensitive data and compromise the integrity of applications relying on the Java VM. This vulnerability represents a broader trend of increasing vulnerabilities in widely-used software components, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures.

Security teams should focus on developing comprehensive vulnerability management programs to address such vulnerabilities effectively.

Regular penetration testing can help identify weaknesses before they are exploited.

Cloud security assessments should also be considered, especially for organizations utilizing cloud environments to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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