CVE-2020-2604
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Java serialization vulnerability that allows remote code execution. Attackers can exploit it via network protocols to compromise Java SE and Java SE Embedded deployments. It primarily affects clients running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or applets that load untrusted code from the internet.
💻 Affected Systems
- Oracle Java SE
- Oracle Java SE Embedded
📦 What is this software?
E Series Santricity Management Plug Ins by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting E Series Santricity Management Plug Ins →
E Series Santricity Os Controller by Netapp
E Series Santricity Storage Manager by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting E Series Santricity Storage Manager →
E Series Santricity Web Services Proxy by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting E Series Santricity Web Services Proxy →
Graalvm by Oracle
Jdk by Oracle
Jdk by Oracle
Jdk by Oracle
Jdk by Oracle
Jre by Oracle
Leap by Opensuse
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Openjdk by Oracle
Steelstore Cloud Integrated Storage by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting Steelstore Cloud Integrated Storage →
Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover with full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected Java deployment.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and application sandboxing are enforced, though risk remains for exposed services.
🎯 Exploit Status
CVSS indicates difficult exploitation (AC:H) but successful attacks can lead to complete compromise. No public exploit code identified in references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Java SE: 7u251, 8u241, 11.0.6, 13.0.2; Java SE Embedded: 8u241
Vendor Advisory: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download and install the patched Java version from Oracle. 2. Replace all affected Java installations. 3. Restart all Java applications and services. 4. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Java Web Start and Applets
allPrevent execution of untrusted Java code via browser plugins and Web Start applications
For browsers: Disable Java plugin
For systems: Remove or disable Java Web Start
Network Segmentation
allRestrict network access to Java applications and services
firewall rules to limit inbound connections to Java services
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network controls to limit access to Java applications
- Disable Java serialization for untrusted data sources and monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Java version with 'java -version' and compare against affected versions: 7u241, 8u231, 11.0.5, 13.0.1 for Java SE; 8u231 for Java SE Embedded.Check Version:
java -versionVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, run 'java -version' to confirm version is 7u251+, 8u241+, 11.0.6+, or 13.0.2+ for Java SE; 8u241+ for Java SE Embedded.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Java process activity
- Serialization-related errors or warnings
- Unexpected network connections from Java processes
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious traffic to Java application ports
- Anomalous serialization payloads
SIEM Query:
source="java.log" AND (event="Serialization" OR event="Deserialization") AND severity=HIGH🔗 References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00050.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00060.html
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0122
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0128
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0196
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0202
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0231
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0232
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0465
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0467
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0468
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0469
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0470
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0541
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0632
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10315
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/02/msg00034.html
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Feb/22
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-19
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200122-0003/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4257-1/
- https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4621
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00050.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00060.html
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0122
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0128
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0196
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0202
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0231
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0232
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0465
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0467
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0468
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0469
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0470
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0541
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0632
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10315
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/02/msg00034.html
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Feb/22
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-19
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200122-0003/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4257-1/
- https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4621
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
