CVE-2024-45031 Overview
CVE-2024-45031 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability [CWE-79] in Apache Syncope. When editing objects in the Syncope Console, incomplete HTML tags bypass the HTML sanitization routine. Attackers can inject persistent XSS payloads that execute when other users interact with the affected objects during ordinary application use.
The flaw also exists in Syncope Enduser. Attackers can inject payloads while editing Personal Information or User Requests. These payloads execute in the Syncope Console under administrator sessions, enabling session hijacking against privileged accounts.
Critical Impact
Stored XSS payloads injected through the Enduser interface execute in administrator browsers, allowing session hijacking and takeover of Apache Syncope identity management infrastructure.
Affected Products
- Apache Syncope versions prior to 3.0.9
- Apache Syncope Console component
- Apache Syncope Enduser component
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-24 - CVE-2024-45031 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-45031
Vulnerability Analysis
Apache Syncope is an open-source identity management system used for managing users, groups, and application access across enterprises. The Console provides administrative functions, and the Enduser interface allows self-service operations for regular users.
The vulnerability stems from incomplete HTML sanitization logic. The sanitizer inspects input for well-formed HTML tags but fails to normalize malformed or incomplete tag structures. Attackers craft payloads with broken tag syntax that bypass the filter yet render as executable script when displayed by the browser.
Because payloads persist in stored object fields, execution occurs whenever another user views the affected record. In the Enduser attack path, the payload originates from a low-privileged user account but detonates inside the administrator's Console session, producing a privilege boundary crossing.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. The HTML sanitizer applied to object editing fields does not handle incomplete or malformed HTML tags consistently, allowing script content to survive filtering and execute in the DOM of downstream viewers.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the Syncope application and user interaction to trigger the stored payload. An attacker with an Enduser account edits Personal Information or User Requests and inserts malformed HTML containing a script payload. When an administrator later reviews the object in the Console, the payload executes with the administrator's session context, exposing session tokens, CSRF tokens, and cached credentials.
The vulnerability manifests when malformed HTML tags reach the sanitizer's parsing logic. See the Apache Mailing List Thread and OpenWall OSS Security Post for advisory-level technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45031
Indicators of Compromise
- Object attribute fields containing HTML fragments such as <script, <img, onerror=, or onload= without matching closing tags.
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains following Console page loads.
- New or modified administrator sessions originating from IP addresses associated with low-privileged Enduser accounts.
Detection Strategies
- Review Syncope audit logs for edits to Personal Information and User Request fields containing HTML-like content from non-administrator accounts.
- Inspect stored user attributes in the Syncope database for payload patterns containing partial tag syntax or event handler attributes.
- Correlate Enduser edit events with subsequent anomalous administrator activity such as new role assignments or credential resets.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable web application firewall logging in front of Syncope Console and Enduser endpoints and alert on payloads matching XSS signatures.
- Monitor for administrator session token reuse from unexpected geographies or user agents.
- Track Apache Syncope version inventory across environments and flag deployments below 3.0.9.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45031
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache Syncope to version 3.0.9 or later, which contains the sanitization fix.
- Audit existing user attributes and request records for injected HTML or script content and remove malicious payloads before administrators view affected objects.
- Force session invalidation for administrator accounts that may have viewed affected records since the introduction of Enduser payloads.
Patch Information
The Apache Syncope project fixed CVE-2024-45031 in version 3.0.9. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread for the official announcement and upgrade guidance.
Workarounds
- Restrict Enduser interface access to trusted networks until the upgrade is complete.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule blocking requests containing malformed HTML tags to Syncope edit endpoints.
- Require administrators to use isolated browser profiles for Syncope Console access to limit blast radius of session hijacking.
# Verify installed Apache Syncope version
curl -s https://<syncope-host>/syncope/actuator/info | jq '.build.version'
# Confirm upgrade target
# Required minimum version: 3.0.9
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
