CVE-2014-3623 in CXF
Summary
by MITRE
Apache WSS4J before 1.6.17 and 2.x before 2.0.2, as used in Apache CXF 2.7.x before 2.7.13 and 3.0.x before 3.0.2, when using TransportBinding, does not properly enforce the SAML SubjectConfirmation method security semantics, which allows remote attackers to conduct spoofing attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3623 represents a critical security flaw in Apache WSS4J versions prior to 1.6.17 and 2.x versions before 2.0.2, which are extensively utilized within Apache CXF frameworks. This weakness specifically affects implementations that employ TransportBinding security mechanisms and fundamentally undermines the SAML SubjectConfirmation method security semantics. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization validation processes where the system fails to properly enforce the security requirements associated with SAML SubjectConfirmation methods, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of SAML SubjectConfirmation data within the WSS4J security framework. When TransportBinding is employed, the system should enforce strict verification of the SubjectConfirmation method to ensure that security assertions originate from legitimate sources. However, the flaw allows attackers to bypass these security checks by manipulating the SubjectConfirmation parameters, effectively enabling them to present forged security tokens that appear valid to the system. This occurs because the framework does not properly validate that the SubjectConfirmation method aligns with the expected security semantics, particularly regarding the confirmation data and the method used to validate the subject's identity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to conduct spoofing attacks against systems relying on affected Apache WSS4J versions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to impersonate legitimate users or services by crafting malicious SAML assertions that bypass the intended security controls. The attack vectors are particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Apache CXF is commonly deployed for web services security, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, privilege escalation, and potential compromise of entire service ecosystems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Apache CXF, making it widespread across organizations that have not updated their security frameworks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Apache WSS4J versions 1.6.17 or later, and 2.0.2 or later, while also ensuring that Apache CXF components are updated to versions 2.7.13 or 3.0.2 or later. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all affected systems and implement proper security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to spearphishing attacks that could leverage this weakness to establish unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should review their SAML implementation policies and consider implementing additional security controls such as certificate pinning and enhanced logging of authentication events to mitigate potential exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.