CVE-2014-3709 in KeyCloak
Summary
by MITRE
The org.keycloak.services.resources.SocialResource.callback method in JBoss KeyCloak before 1.0.3.Final allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks by leveraging lack of CSRF protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3709 resides within the org.keycloak.services.resources.SocialResource.callback method of JBoss KeyCloak versions prior to 1.0.3.Final. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute cross-site request forgery attacks against the authentication system. The vulnerability specifically affects the social login functionality of KeyCloak, which allows users to authenticate through third-party providers such as Facebook, Google, or Twitter. The absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms in the callback endpoint creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft forged requests that appear legitimate to the KeyCloak server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of anti-CSRF token validation within the social authentication callback handler. When users attempt to authenticate through social providers, KeyCloak redirects them to the external identity provider for authentication, then back to the KeyCloak server via the callback endpoint. Without proper CSRF protection, an attacker can create a malicious website that, when visited by an authenticated user, automatically submits a forged request to the KeyCloak callback endpoint. This attack vector leverages the user's existing authentication session with KeyCloak, potentially allowing unauthorized actions such as account takeover or privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses and can lead to significant security breaches within organizations relying on KeyCloak for identity management. Attackers could exploit this weakness to hijack user sessions, gain unauthorized access to protected resources, or manipulate user accounts through forged authentication requests. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where KeyCloak serves as a central authentication service. Organizations using social login features would be especially vulnerable, as the attack can be executed through social engineering techniques that trick users into visiting malicious sites. This vulnerability directly conflicts with the principle of least privilege and can compromise the integrity of the entire authentication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3709 focus primarily on upgrading to KeyCloak version 1.0.3.Final or later, which includes proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Security administrators should also implement additional defensive measures such as validating the referer header in callback requests, implementing proper session management, and configuring strict CORS policies for authentication endpoints. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their KeyCloak configurations to ensure that all social login endpoints are properly protected. The implementation of anti-CSRF tokens should be enforced for all authentication-related callback endpoints, following established security frameworks and best practices. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of CSRF protection in identity management systems and underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security controls in authentication infrastructure. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics, and T1548, which addresses privilege escalation through authentication manipulation.