CVE-2012-2378 in CXF
Summary
by MITRE
Apache CXF 2.4.5 through 2.4.7, 2.5.1 through 2.5.3, and 2.6.x before 2.6.1, does not properly enforce child policies of a WS-SecurityPolicy 1.1 SupportingToken policy on the client side, which allows remote attackers to bypass the (1) AlgorithmSuite, (2) SignedParts, (3) SignedElements, (4) EncryptedParts, and (5) EncryptedElements policies.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2378 affects Apache CXF versions within specific ranges including 2.4.5 through 2.4.7, 2.5.1 through 2.5.3, and pre-2.6.1 versions of the 2.6.x series. This security flaw resides in the Web Services Security implementation where the framework fails to properly enforce child policies contained within WS-SecurityPolicy 1.1 SupportingToken policies on the client side. The issue fundamentally undermines the security controls that should be applied to web service communications, creating potential attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to circumvent critical security measures.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper enforcement of several critical WS-SecurityPolicy components including AlgorithmSuite, SignedParts, SignedElements, EncryptedParts, and EncryptedElements policies. These policies are designed to ensure proper cryptographic algorithm selection, message signing, and encryption controls within web service communications. When these child policies are not properly enforced, attackers can bypass the security mechanisms that should validate the cryptographic strength of algorithms used, verify message integrity through proper signing, and ensure that sensitive message components remain encrypted. This represents a significant weakness in the security policy enforcement model of the Apache CXF framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to bypass multiple layers of web service security controls that are fundamental to protecting sensitive data exchanges. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, modify signed messages without detection, or decrypt sensitive information that should remain protected by encryption policies. The vulnerability affects the core security architecture of web service communications, potentially allowing unauthorized access to confidential business data, user credentials, or proprietary information transmitted through these services. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to include potential service disruption and compromise of trust relationships between web service providers and consumers.
Organizations using affected Apache CXF versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of the framework where available. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically relating to improper enforcement of security policies. From an ATT&CK perspective, this weakness maps to T1552 Credential Access techniques where attackers can bypass authentication and authorization controls. Additional mitigations should include implementing network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity, conducting thorough security assessments of web service configurations, and ensuring that all security policies are properly validated and enforced at both client and server endpoints. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper security policy implementation and enforcement in distributed web service architectures.