CVE-2025-65998: Apache Syncope Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-65998 Overview

CVE-2025-65998 affects Apache Syncope, an open-source identity management system. The vulnerability stems from a hard-coded cryptographic key used when administrators configure the platform to store user passwords with AES encryption in the internal database. Because the default key value is embedded directly in the source code, any attacker who gains read access to the internal database can decrypt stored passwords back to cleartext. The flaw is tracked under CWE-321: Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key. Apache has released fixed versions 3.0.15 and 4.0.3 to address the issue.

Critical Impact
Attackers with database access can recover cleartext user passwords from AES-encrypted columns by reusing the hard-coded key embedded in the Apache Syncope source code.

Affected Products

Apache Syncope versions prior to 3.0.15
Apache Syncope 4.x versions prior to 4.0.3
Deployments configured with AES password storage (non-default option)

Discovery Timeline

2025-11-24 - CVE-2025-65998 published to NVD
2025-11-24 - Apache Software Foundation publishes advisory on the project mailing list
2025-11-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-65998

Vulnerability Analysis

Apache Syncope offers multiple password storage strategies, including hashing algorithms and reversible AES encryption. When administrators select AES encryption, the platform encrypts user password values before persisting them in the internal database. The encryption depends on a symmetric key that, in vulnerable releases, is hard-coded directly into the source code.

Because Apache Syncope is open source, the hard-coded key is publicly accessible to anyone who inspects the repository. The same key is used across every deployment that did not explicitly override it. This collapses the security boundary that AES encryption is supposed to provide for credential data at rest.

Encrypted plain attributes are not affected by this issue, even though they also use AES encryption. The vulnerability is scoped specifically to the password storage path.

Root Cause

The root cause is the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key [CWE-321] in the password encryption routine. Cryptographic operations require keys to remain secret and unique per deployment. Embedding the key in distributed source code violates this principle and reduces AES encryption to obfuscation.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires an attacker to obtain the contents of the Syncope internal database. Database access can result from SQL injection in adjacent applications, stolen backup files, compromised database credentials, or insider access. Once the encrypted password column is in the attacker's possession, decryption is straightforward using the publicly known key. The recovered cleartext passwords then enable credential stuffing, lateral movement, and impersonation of legitimate users across federated systems managed by Syncope.

The vulnerability does not provide initial network access on its own. It amplifies the impact of any data exposure event that reaches the password table.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-65998

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected read queries against the SyncopeUser table or equivalent password storage tables in the internal database
Database export, backup, or replication events initiated outside of approved maintenance windows
Authentication anomalies such as successful logins from new geographies for accounts that have not recently rotated credentials
Service account activity in downstream systems integrated with Syncope that does not align with normal provisioning workflows

Detection Strategies

Inventory Apache Syncope deployments and identify any instance configured with the AES password cipher algorithm rather than a hashing algorithm
Audit database access logs for read operations targeting user password columns, especially from non-application identities
Correlate Syncope administrative actions, database queries, and downstream authentication events to identify credential abuse patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Syncope application logs and database audit logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and query
Alert on configuration changes to the password.cipher.algorithm property or equivalent encryption settings
Monitor for outbound transfers of database backups that include the Syncope schema

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-65998

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Apache Syncope to version 3.0.15 or 4.0.3, depending on the deployed major version
Rotate all user passwords stored under the AES cipher after upgrading, since previously stored ciphertext remains recoverable with the old key
Restrict database access to the minimum set of service accounts required, and review existing access logs for unauthorized reads
Replace the AES password storage configuration with a one-way hashing algorithm such as SSHA256 or bcrypt where supported by deployment requirements

Patch Information

Apache has released fixes in Syncope 3.0.15 and 4.0.3. Details are published in the Apache Syncope security advisory and the Openwall OSS Security announcement. Administrators should validate the upgrade in a non-production environment and confirm that custom encryption keys are configured before re-enabling AES storage.

Workarounds

Switch the password storage cipher from AES to a salted hashing algorithm to eliminate the recoverable ciphertext path entirely
If AES storage is mandatory for business reasons, set a unique custom secret key per deployment through the Syncope configuration rather than relying on the bundled default
Apply database-level encryption at rest and strict network segmentation to reduce the likelihood of attacker access to the password table

bash

# Configuration example: prefer hashed password storage in Syncope
# Edit security.properties (3.0.x) or equivalent in 4.0.x
password.cipher.algorithm=SSHA256

# If AES must be used, override the default secret key with a
# deployment-specific value (do not reuse across environments)
secretKey=<replace-with-strong-random-32-byte-value>