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CVE Record

CVE-2021-2388: Vulnerability in the Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Hotsp...

Vulnerability in the Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Hotspot). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 8u291, 11.0.11, 16.0.1; Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition: 20.3.2 and 21.1.0. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition. Note: This vulnerability applies to Java deployments, typically in clients running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets, that load and run untrusted code (e.g., code that comes from the internet) and rely on the Java sandbox for security. This vulnerability does not apply to Java deployments, typically in servers, that load and run only trusted code (e.g., code installed by an administrator). CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.5 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-2388 is a high-severity Oracle Java/GraalVM vulnerability that can let an unauthenticated network attacker take over affected Java environments. The practical concern is mainly client-side Java that runs untrusted sandboxed code from the internet, not server deployments running only administrator-installed trusted code.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority hygiene and exposure-reduction item where legacy client-side Java remains in use. Urgency is lower for server workloads that only run trusted code, but affected Java runtimes should still be upgraded through normal security patching.

Technical view

Oracle describes this as a Hotspot vulnerability affecting Java SE 8u291, 11.0.11, 16.0.1 and GraalVM Enterprise Edition 20.3.2, 21.1.0. CVSS is 7.5 with network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges, required user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where endpoints or applications use affected Java versions to run sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed applets from untrusted sources. Standard server-side Java workloads that load only trusted administrator-installed code are specifically described as out of scope by Oracle.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Oracle rates exploitation as difficult and requiring human interaction. Attackability depends on a user or workflow causing affected Java to load and run untrusted sandboxed code.

Researcher notes

No CWE is provided in the bundle, and the description does not include root-cause detail. The key scoping note is Oracle's distinction between sandboxed untrusted client code and trusted server deployments. No active exploitation evidence is provided.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade affected Oracle Java SE and GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions using vendor guidance.
  • Apply relevant downstream security updates from Debian, Gentoo, NetApp, or other product vendors.
  • Disable or remove Java Web Start and applet workflows that run untrusted internet code.
  • Reduce reliance on the Java sandbox as a security boundary for untrusted code.
  • Check Oracle CPU advisories for the corrected release path for each Java line.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Java SE, JDK, JRE, and GraalVM Enterprise Edition versions across endpoints and products.
  • Identify any Java Web Start or applet usage that loads untrusted code.
  • Confirm affected builds are upgraded beyond the versions named in the advisory.
  • Review vendor advisories for embedded Java in appliances or packaged products.
  • Document server-only trusted-code deployments separately from client sandbox exposure.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2021-2388 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.65.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-2388Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Oracle CorporationJava SE JDK and JREJava SE:8u291, Java SE:11.0.11, Java SE:16.0.1, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition:20.3.2, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition:21.1.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.