CVE-2018-1322 in Syncope
Summary
by MITRE
An administrator with user search entitlements in Apache Syncope 1.2.x before 1.2.11 and 2.0.x before 2.0.8 can recover sensitive security values using the fiql and orderby parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2025
Apache Syncope vulnerability CVE-2018-1322 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that allows authenticated administrators with user search permissions to extract sensitive security information through improper handling of fiql and orderby parameters. This vulnerability exists in versions 1.2.x before 1.2.11 and 2.0.x before 2.0.8 of the Apache Syncope identity management platform. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the user search functionality, specifically when processing filter and ordering parameters that are typically used for constructing dynamic queries against the user directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way the system processes fiql (Filtering Information Query Language) and orderby parameters in user search operations. When administrators perform searches with these parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing maliciously crafted queries to inadvertently expose sensitive data fields including passwords, security tokens, and other authentication credentials. This occurs because the system does not adequately distinguish between legitimate search parameters and potentially harmful data extraction attempts, creating a path for unauthorized data recovery through crafted API requests. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for "Data from Information Repositories" in the context of privilege escalation and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1322 is significant for organizations relying on Apache Syncope for identity management, as it provides authenticated attackers with direct access to sensitive user security information that could be used for account takeover, lateral movement, and further system compromise. Attackers with user search entitlements can leverage this vulnerability to reconstruct user credential information, potentially enabling them to impersonate legitimate users or gain deeper access to the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the identity management infrastructure, potentially leading to widespread security breaches across the organization's user base. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face risks of regulatory compliance violations and potential data breach notifications due to the exposure of sensitive authentication data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1322 include immediate upgrade to Apache Syncope versions 1.2.11 or 2.0.8, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Organizations should also implement strict parameter validation controls and input sanitization mechanisms within their search functionality to prevent unauthorized data extraction attempts. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of administrative accounts that can perform user searches. Additionally, monitoring and logging of search operations should be implemented to detect anomalous parameter usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their identity management systems and ensure proper access control policies are in place to prevent unauthorized information disclosure through similar parameter manipulation techniques.