CVE-2023-21835 : What You Need to Know

This is a detailed overview of CVE-2023-21835, a vulnerability that affects Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition, potentially leading to a partial denial of service (partial DOS) when exploited by an unauthenticated attacker with network access via DTLS.

Understanding CVE-2023-21835

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-21835, highlighting its nature, impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21835?

CVE-2023-21835 is a vulnerability found in the Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition products, specifically within the JSSE component. The affected versions include Oracle Java SE 11.0.17, 17.0.5, and 19.0.1, as well as Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition 20.3.8, 21.3.4, and 22.3.0. It allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit the vulnerability via DTLS, potentially leading to a partial denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21835

The successful exploitation of CVE-2023-21835 can result in unauthorized access that enables an attacker to cause a partial denial of service in Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. This vulnerability primarily affects Java deployments in clients running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets that load and execute untrusted code from the internet.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21835

This section provides deeper insights into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21835, including its vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition products, allowing unauthenticated attackers to compromise the affected systems via DTLS and potentially cause a partial denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted systems include Oracle Java SE versions 11.0.17, 17.0.5, and 19.0.1, along with Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions 20.3.8, 21.3.4, and 22.3.0. Users running these versions are susceptible to the CVE-2023-21835 vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker with network access via DTLS, allowing them to compromise Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks may lead to a partial denial of service within these environments.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21835, users and organizations should adhere to specific security practices and apply necessary patches and updates promptly to safeguard their systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate steps include monitoring security advisories, applying patches provided by Oracle, and restricting network access to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, regular security audits, implementing network security measures, and staying informed about security best practices can help enhance overall system security and resilience.

Patching and Updates

Users are advised to apply the latest security patches released by Oracle to address the vulnerability in Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Regularly updating systems is crucial to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities and potential cyber threats.