CVE-2026-113511 in Syncope
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
Authorization bypass through User-Controlled key vulnerability in Apache Syncope.
A delegated administrator can relocate a Realm subtree across administrative realm boundaries without permission for the destination This issue affects Apache Syncope: from 3.0.0-M0 through 3.0.16, from 4.0.0-M0 through 4.0.8, from 4.1.0-M0 through 4.1.3.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.0.9 / 4.1.4, which fix this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in Apache Syncope represents a critical failure in access control logic, specifically categorized under CWE-285: Improper Authorization. This flaw allows an attacker with delegated administrative privileges to bypass intended security boundaries by manipulating the structural organization of identity data within the system. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation checks when processing requests that involve moving or relocating Realm subtrees across different administrative realm hierarchies. In a properly secured environment, such operations should require explicit authorization for both the source and destination realms to ensure that users do not exceed their assigned scope of control. However, in the affected versions ranging from 3.0.0-M0 through 4.1.3, the application fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions for the target realm before executing the relocation operation.
This authorization bypass enables a delegated administrator to escalate privileges effectively by gaining unauthorized access to resources and configurations within realms that are normally restricted from their view or management capabilities. By relocating a Realm subtree into an administrative realm where they lack explicit permission, the attacker can manipulate user accounts, modify security policies, or extract sensitive identity data associated with those relocated entities. The operational impact is severe as it undermines the principle of least privilege, which is fundamental to robust Identity and Access Management systems. Attackers could potentially use this vector to establish persistence within higher-privileged domains, disrupt service availability by misconfiguring critical realms, or exfiltrate confidential user information that was previously isolated from their access scope.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and lateral movement within identity infrastructure. Specifically, it reflects behaviors associated with abusing existing permissions to gain unauthorized access to additional system components. The lack of proper boundary checks allows the attacker to traverse administrative boundaries that are designed to segment responsibilities among different teams or security zones. This can lead to a complete compromise of the centralized identity management platform if not addressed promptly, as control over one realm often provides leverage for further exploitation within interconnected systems.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running affected versions must upgrade Apache Syncope immediately to version 4.0.9 or 4.1.4, where these authorization checks have been corrected. Until the upgrade is performed, administrators should review existing delegated roles and restrict permissions related to Realm management operations to only those users who absolutely require such capabilities. Implementing additional monitoring for unusual administrative actions, particularly those involving cross-realm structural changes, can also help in detecting potential exploitation attempts. Regular audits of access control policies and adherence to strict separation of duties principles are essential preventive measures against similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities in identity management solutions.