It is possible to access fields and methods of another object from a given object. Language access checks are enforced by the JVM to ensure policy compliance, while doing so. For instance, although an object is not normally allowed to access private members or invoke methods of another class, the APIs belonging to java.lang.reflect package
allow an object to do so contingent upon performing the mirrored language access checks.
...
In this non-compliant code snippet, the private field of class C
(i) can be accessed from class reflection. Method makeAccessible
accepts fieldName
as input which can be supplied by untrusted code. This is dangerous because despite the untrusted code not having the same capabilities as that of the immediate caller, it is allowed to carry out sensitive operations.
...
Avoid invoking affected APIs on Class, Constructor, Field or Method
instances passed in from untrusted code. Even when the instances are acquired safely, do not use tainted inputs provided by untrusted code. Likewise, do not return values to the untrusted caller. The table below lists the APIs that should be used with care.
...