CVE-2025-65998
📋 TL;DR
Apache Syncope versions before 3.0.15 and 4.0.3 use a hard-coded AES encryption key for password storage when configured to encrypt passwords in the database. This allows attackers who gain database access to decrypt stored passwords. Only systems configured to use AES password encryption (not the default) are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apache Syncope
📦 What is this software?
Syncope by Apache
Syncope by Apache
Syncope by Apache
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers with database access can decrypt all user passwords, leading to complete account compromise, privilege escalation, and lateral movement across systems.
Likely Case
Attackers who breach the database can decrypt passwords for users with AES-encrypted passwords, potentially gaining access to sensitive accounts.
If Mitigated
With proper database access controls and network segmentation, the impact is limited even if the vulnerability exists.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires database access first, but once obtained, decryption is trivial using the hard-coded key.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.0.15 or 4.0.3
Vendor Advisory: https://lists.apache.org/thread/fjh0tb0d1xkbphc5ogdsc348ppz88cts
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your configuration and database. 2. Download Apache Syncope 3.0.15 or 4.0.3 from the official website. 3. Stop the current Syncope instance. 4. Deploy the new version. 5. Restart the service. 6. Verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AES password encryption
allRevert to default password storage method instead of AES encryption
Modify Syncope configuration to remove or disable AES password encryption settings
Change encryption key manually
allOverride the hard-coded key with a custom secure key in configuration
Set a custom encryption key in Syncope configuration files (exact parameter depends on version)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict database access controls and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized database access
- Monitor database access logs for suspicious activity and implement database encryption at rest
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if using Apache Syncope version <3.0.15 or <4.0.3 AND configured to use AES password encryptionCheck Version:
Check Syncope web interface admin panel or application logs for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 3.0.15 or higher (for 3.x) or 4.0.3 or higher (for 4.x) and check configuration no longer uses hard-coded key📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual database access patterns
- Failed login attempts followed by database queries
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected database connection attempts from non-Syncope hosts
SIEM Query:
source="database_logs" AND (event_type="access" OR event_type="query") AND src_ip NOT IN [syncope_server_ips]