CVE-2013-0253 in Maven
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of Apache Maven 3.0.4, when using Maven Wagon 2.1, disables SSL certificate checks, which allows remote attackers to spoof servers via a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0253 represents a critical security flaw in the default configuration of Apache Maven 3.0.4 that significantly undermines the integrity of software supply chain security. This issue affects the Maven Wagon component version 2.1 which is responsible for handling remote repository communications. The vulnerability stems from the default configuration that disables SSL certificate validation, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit the trust relationship between Maven clients and remote repositories. This flaw operates at the intersection of software dependency management and network security, where the expectation of secure communication is fundamentally compromised. The vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of development environments that rely on Maven for project building and dependency resolution, creating potential attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries seeking to compromise the software development lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of SSL/TLS certificate validation within Maven Wagon's default configuration. When Maven attempts to connect to remote repositories, it fails to validate the server certificates presented during the SSL handshake process. This configuration bypasses the fundamental security mechanism that ensures clients are communicating with legitimate servers. The flaw operates at the application layer where network security controls are intentionally disabled, allowing attackers to present fake certificates that appear legitimate to the Maven client. This configuration essentially creates a trust boundary that can be easily traversed by malicious actors who can intercept communications and present fraudulent certificates that the client accepts without verification. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation, making it a direct implementation of weak cryptographic practices in software security.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0253 extends far beyond simple network communication issues, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of software supply chains that rely on Maven for dependency resolution. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can perform man-in-the-middle attacks to inject malicious code into software builds, potentially compromising thousands of applications that depend on compromised dependencies. The vulnerability affects not just individual development environments but entire organizations where Maven is used for continuous integration and deployment processes. When developers unknowingly pull dependencies from compromised repositories, they risk introducing backdoors, malware, or other malicious code into their applications. This represents a significant threat to software security and can lead to widespread compromise across multiple projects and organizations that share common dependency repositories. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability is present in the default configuration, meaning that most installations are inherently vulnerable without any explicit configuration changes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0253 require immediate configuration changes to restore proper SSL certificate validation within Maven Wagon. Organizations should update to newer versions of Maven and Wagon where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper default configurations that enforce certificate validation. System administrators must review and modify Maven settings to ensure that SSL certificate checks are enabled and properly configured. The remediation process should include implementing certificate pinning mechanisms where appropriate and establishing monitoring for unauthorized certificate changes in repository communications. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls such as certificate transparency monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should establish secure baseline configurations for Maven installations that explicitly disable the vulnerable default behavior and enforce secure communication practices. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure default configurations and the critical need for organizations to regularly audit their build environments for similar security flaws that could compromise the software development lifecycle. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and supply chain compromise techniques, highlighting its potential for broader security impact beyond the immediate network communication layer.