CVE-2025-48795 in CXF
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2025
Apache CXF stores large stream based messages as temporary files on the local filesystem. A bug was introduced which means that the entire temporary file is read into memory and then logged. An attacker might be able to exploit this to cause a denial of service attack by causing an out of memory exception. In addition, it is possible to configure CXF to encrypt temporary files to prevent sensitive credentials from being cached unencrypted on the local filesystem, however this bug means that the cached files are written out to logs unencrypted.
Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 3.5.11, 3.6.6, 4.0.7 or 4.1.1, which fixes this issue.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48795 affects Apache CXF, a comprehensive web services framework that processes large stream-based messages by storing them as temporary files on the local filesystem. This design choice introduces inherent security and performance risks that become exacerbated by the specific flaw present in affected versions. The issue manifests when CXF handles large messages, creating temporary files that are subsequently read entirely into memory before being logged, creating a critical operational weakness that impacts both system stability and information security.
The technical flaw represents a memory management error that violates fundamental security principles and operational best practices. When temporary files containing stream-based messages are processed, the entire file contents are loaded into memory before logging operations occur, creating a potential for memory exhaustion attacks. This behavior directly contravenes the principle of least privilege and proper resource management, as the system unnecessarily consumes memory resources that could otherwise be allocated to legitimate processing tasks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-400 as an excessive resource consumption issue, specifically manifesting as an out-of-memory condition that can be exploited for denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion to include serious information security concerns. While CXF provides configuration options to encrypt temporary files on the local filesystem, the bug effectively nullifies these security measures by writing unencrypted content to logs. This creates a scenario where sensitive credentials and data that were intentionally protected through encryption are subsequently exposed through log files, violating data protection principles and potentially exposing confidential information to unauthorized parties. The flaw essentially creates a security boundary failure where encryption protections are bypassed through logging mechanisms.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1499 for resource hijacking and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning for systems processing sensitive data, as the combination of memory exhaustion and credential exposure creates multiple attack vectors. Organizations utilizing Apache CXF for web services may find their systems vulnerable to both availability and confidentiality attacks, with the potential for cascading failures when the system becomes overwhelmed by memory consumption.
The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to versions 3.5.11, 3.6.6, 4.0.7, or 4.1.1, which contain fixes addressing the memory loading behavior and logging mechanisms. This upgrade path ensures that temporary file processing no longer loads entire files into memory before logging operations, while also maintaining proper encryption handling for log outputs. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of their upgraded systems to ensure compatibility with existing configurations and verify that the fix properly addresses both the memory consumption and logging security concerns. The fix demonstrates proper security engineering practices by addressing root cause issues rather than implementing workarounds that might mask underlying problems.