CVE-2021-41035 : What You Need to Know

In Eclipse Openj9 before version 0.29.0, the JVM does not throw IllegalAccessError for MethodHandles that invoke inaccessible interface methods.

Understanding CVE-2021-41035

In this CVE, Eclipse Openj9 is affected by a vulnerability that allows MethodHandles to invoke inaccessible interface methods without throwing IllegalAccessError.

What is CVE-2021-41035?

The vulnerability in Eclipse Openj9 allows for the execution of MethodHandles with unnecessary privileges, violating expected behavior.

The Impact of CVE-2021-41035

The security flaw in Eclipse Openj9 before version 0.29.0 can lead to unauthorized execution of inaccessible interface methods, potentially compromising system security.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-41035

CVE-2021-41035 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The JVM in Eclipse Openj9 fails to enforce IllegalAccessError when invoking inaccessible interface methods using MethodHandles.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Eclipse OMR
Vendor: The Eclipse Foundation
Versions Affected: < 0.29.0 (unspecified version type)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to execute MethodHandles with unnecessary privileges, exploiting inaccessible interface methods.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-41035, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Eclipse Openj9 to version 0.29.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to privileged code execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement access controls and authorization mechanisms to limit unauthorized operations.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates promptly to ensure the software is protected from known vulnerabilities.