CVE-2017-5656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Apache CXF's STSClient versions prior to 3.1.11 and 3.0.13 have a vulnerability in their caching mechanism that could allow attackers to obtain identifiers matching cached tokens of other users.

Understanding CVE-2017-5656

Apache CXF's STSClient caching flaw could lead to unauthorized access and token manipulation.

What is CVE-2017-5656?

The flaw in Apache CXF's STSClient caching mechanism allows attackers to create tokens to access cached tokens of different users, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5656

The vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential token manipulation by attackers.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5656

Apache CXF's STSClient vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Apache CXF's STSClient caching mechanism allows attackers to craft tokens to access cached tokens of other users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache CXF
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Versions Affected:
3.1.x before 3.1.11
Versions before 3.0.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the flawed caching mechanism to create tokens that match cached tokens of different users, potentially gaining unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2017-5656 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apache CXF to version 3.1.11 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and review access logs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate users and developers on secure coding practices and the importance of secure token management.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by Apache CXF to address known vulnerabilities.