CVE-2012-0803 in CXF
Summary
by MITRE
The WS-SP UsernameToken policy in Apache CXF 2.4.5 and 2.5.1 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by sending an empty UsernameToken as part of a SOAP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0803 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Apache CXF web services frameworks. This issue specifically affects versions 2.4.5 and 2.5.1 of the Apache CXF implementation, which is widely used for building and consuming web services in enterprise environments. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of WS-SP UsernameToken policy implementations, creating a scenario where malicious actors can circumvent security controls by exploiting a fundamental flaw in credential handling mechanisms. The WS-SP UsernameToken policy is designed to provide authentication through username and password combinations within SOAP messages, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it directly undermines the core security model of web service communications.
The technical flaw manifests when the Apache CXF framework fails to properly validate UsernameToken elements within SOAP requests, allowing empty or malformed UsernameTokens to be accepted as valid authentication credentials. This occurs because the implementation does not adequately check for the presence of required username and password fields within the token, enabling attackers to submit requests containing only empty UsernameToken elements. The vulnerability exists at the policy validation layer where the framework should enforce strict authentication requirements but instead permits authentication bypass through minimal credential submission. This flaw aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication scenarios, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation that allows unauthorized access to protected web service endpoints.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0803 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to perform privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and service disruption within affected environments. Organizations utilizing Apache CXF web services with WS-SP UsernameToken policies become vulnerable to unauthorized operations, as the flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication entirely without requiring valid credentials. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct SOAP message manipulation, automated scanning tools, or man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers intercept and modify service requests. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where web services often handle sensitive data and critical business operations, making this vulnerability a prime target for adversaries seeking persistent access to corporate networks. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, though in this case the vulnerability allows bypassing the account validation entirely rather than using legitimate credentials.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Apache CXF versions that address this vulnerability, typically versions 2.4.6 and 2.5.2 or later. Additionally, administrators should configure strict authentication policies that enforce mandatory credential validation and implement additional security layers such as mutual TLS authentication or token-based authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring of SOAP service traffic can help detect anomalous authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for web service frameworks and highlights the critical need for proper input validation in security-critical components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive inventory tracking of all Apache CXF installations within their infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining undetected.