CVE-2016-3427
CVE-2016-3427 is a security flaw in Oracle Java SE and JRockit, which runs apps on computers and servers. Attackers are using a flaw in Oracle Java SE and JRockit that its maker hasn't described in detail. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 12 May 2023.[1]
Oracle Java SE and JRockit is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Oracle has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it an unspecified in Oracle Java SE and JRockit. In its words: “Oracle Java SE and JRockit contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via vectors related to Java Management Extensions (JMX). This vulnerability can be exploited through sandboxed Java Web Start applications and sandboxed Java applets. It can also be exploited by supplying data to APIs in the specified component without using sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets, such as through a web service.”[1]
The underlying weakness is improper access control (CWE-284), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.[2]
It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it critical, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Oracle’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Oracle Java SE and JRockit.
Every device with Oracle Java SE and JRockit needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 12 May 2023, 2,577 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 2 Jun 2023 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 92%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Oracle has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Oracle Java SE and JRockit now.Install the latest update from Oracle on every device that has it, and restart when asked. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 9.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 92%.[4] |
See also
Other Oracle flaws
- CVE-2026-21962, Oracle HTTP Server and Oracle Weblogic Server Proxy Plug-in: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-46817, Oracle E-Business Suite: improper privilege management ·
- CVE-2026-35273, Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools: missing authentication for critical function ·
- CVE-2024-21182, Oracle WebLogic Server: unspecified ·
- CVE-2025-61757, Oracle Fusion Middleware: missing authentication for critical function ·
Other improper access control flaws
- CVE-2015-3306, ProFTPD: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-56290, Joomlack Page Builder: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-34908, Ubiquiti UniFi OS: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-48907, Widget Factory Joomla Content Editor: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-35616, Fortinet FortiClient EMS: improper access control ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2023-25717, Ruckus Wireless products: multiple ruckus wireless products CSRF and RCE ·
- CVE-2021-3560, Red Hat Polkit: incorrect authorization ·
- CVE-2016-8735, Apache Tomcat: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2015-5317, Jenkins User Interface (UI): user interface (UI) information disclosure ·
- CVE-2014-0196, Linux Kernel: race condition ·
Every Oracle flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in May 2023
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Oracle Java SE and JRockit Unspecified Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 12 May 2023.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2016-3427 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 21 Apr 2016.
- ^ Oracle. Advisories and fixes: oracle.com, lists.apache.org, lists.apache.org, lists.apache.org, lists.apache.org, and 3 more on NVD’s record.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.923, percentile 99.8, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2016-3427”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.