CVE-2012-5351 in Axis2
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Axis2 allows remote attackers to forge messages and bypass authentication via a SAML assertion that lacks a Signature element, aka a "Signature exclusion attack," a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-4418.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2019
Apache Axis2 represents a robust web services framework that processes security tokens and authentication mechanisms for enterprise applications. The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-5351 specifically targets the framework's handling of Security Assertion Markup Language assertions within its authentication subsystem. This flaw allows malicious actors to construct forged SAML messages that appear legitimate to the Axis2 security layer, effectively bypassing the authentication process entirely. The vulnerability stems from the framework's insufficient validation logic when processing SAML assertions that lack explicit signature elements, creating a path for unauthorized access through what should be a secure authentication channel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the SAML assertion processing logic within Axis2's security module. When the framework encounters a SAML assertion without a Signature element, it fails to properly validate the assertion's authenticity and integrity, treating the message as potentially valid even when it lacks cryptographic proof of origin. This behavior creates a signature exclusion attack vector where attackers can manipulate the assertion content, including subject identifiers, roles, and permissions, without triggering the framework's security mechanisms. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for web services that rely on SAML-based authentication for access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system access. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to protected web services, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects organizations using Apache Axis2 in their web service implementations, particularly those that rely on SAML assertions for security token validation. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where Axis2 serves as a core component of service-oriented architecture implementations, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally within networks or access sensitive business-critical applications.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected Axis2 versions. Organizations must also consider implementing additional validation mechanisms beyond the default framework behavior, including custom assertion validators that enforce signature requirements regardless of the SAML assertion structure. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper validation of cryptographic signatures, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1550.001 for use of valid credentials, as attackers can effectively forge legitimate authentication tokens through this signature exclusion method. Regular security assessments of web service implementations and comprehensive security testing of authentication flows should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the security infrastructure.