CVE-2024-21004 Overview
CVE-2024-21004 is an Improper Permission vulnerability affecting the JavaFX component of Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker with local access to the infrastructure where the affected products execute to potentially compromise data integrity. The attack requires human interaction and is considered difficult to exploit, making it a lower-severity issue that primarily affects client-side Java deployments running sandboxed applications.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized update, insert, or delete access to some Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition accessible data. This vulnerability specifically targets Java deployments running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets that load untrusted code from the internet.
Affected Products
- Oracle Java SE: 8u401 (JDK and JRE)
- Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.13 and 21.3.9
- NetApp Active IQ Unified Manager (VMware vSphere and Windows)
- NetApp Data Infrastructure Insights Acquisition Unit
- NetApp Data Infrastructure Insights Storage Workload Security Agent
- NetApp OnCommand Insight
- NetApp OnCommand Workflow Automation
Discovery Timeline
- April 16, 2024 - CVE-2024-21004 published to NVD
- May 29, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-21004
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability resides in the JavaFX component of Oracle Java SE and Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. It is classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), indicating that the vulnerability stems from improper permission handling within the JavaFX subsystem. The flaw enables an unauthenticated attacker to manipulate certain accessible data when specific conditions are met.
The vulnerability specifically impacts client-side Java deployments that rely on the Java sandbox security model. Server-side deployments that only execute trusted, administrator-installed code are not affected by this vulnerability. The attack surface is limited to environments where users run sandboxed Java Web Start applications or Java applets that load and execute untrusted code from external sources such as the internet.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-21004 is tied to CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions. The JavaFX component fails to properly enforce permission boundaries in certain scenarios, potentially allowing unauthorized modifications to accessible data. This improper permission configuration within the JavaFX subsystem creates an integrity risk when processing untrusted content within the Java sandbox environment.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have logon access to the infrastructure where Oracle Java SE or Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition is running. Exploitation requires:
- Local Access: The attacker must have logon access to the target system
- Human Interaction: A user other than the attacker must perform an action (such as running a malicious Java applet or Web Start application)
- High Complexity: The attack conditions are difficult to achieve, involving specific timing or environmental factors
The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability—only integrity is affected, and the scope of potential data modification is limited to partial access to some accessible data.
The exploitation pathway involves delivering a crafted Java applet or Web Start application to a victim who then executes it within a sandboxed environment. When the malicious code runs under the affected JavaFX component, it can potentially bypass certain permission checks to modify data it should not have access to.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21004
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to application data or configuration files in Java-based applications
- Unusual JavaFX process behavior or unexpected file system write operations
- Java applets or Web Start applications being executed from untrusted sources
- Log entries indicating JavaFX permission exceptions or security manager violations
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for execution of Java Web Start (.jnlp) files and Java applets from untrusted network locations
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized Java applications from executing
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring Java process behavior
- Review Java security logs for anomalous permission requests or security boundary violations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose Java security logging to capture detailed permission checks and potential violations
- Monitor file integrity for Java application directories and user-accessible data stores
- Implement network monitoring to detect downloads of .jnlp files or Java applet code from untrusted sources
- Configure alerting for any Java process attempting to access or modify files outside expected paths
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21004
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Oracle Java SE 8 to a version newer than 8u401
- Upgrade Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition from versions 20.3.13 and 21.3.9 to the latest patched releases
- Review and apply updates for affected NetApp products as per their security advisory
- Disable Java applets and Java Web Start in browser environments where not required
Patch Information
Oracle has released patches addressing this vulnerability as part of the April 2024 Critical Patch Update. Administrators should review the Oracle Critical Patch Update April 2024 for specific patch details and download links. NetApp customers should also consult the NetApp Security Advisory NTAP-20240426-0004 for guidance on affected NetApp products.
Workarounds
- Disable Java Plugin and Java Web Start in web browsers to prevent execution of untrusted Java applets
- Configure the Java security policy to restrict permissions for sandboxed applications
- Implement network controls to block downloads of Java applet code from untrusted sources
- Consider removing Java from client systems where it is not strictly required for business operations
# Disable Java Plugin in browser (Windows registry example)
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Plug-in" /v "UseJava2IExplorer" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
# Restrict Java Web Start execution via deployment.properties
echo "deployment.webjava.enabled=false" >> "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Sun\Java\Deployment\deployment.properties"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
