CVE-2019-12423: Apache cxf Private Key Leak Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2019-12423 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) private key leak vulnerability (CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials) affecting Apache cxf libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves private key leak in apache cxf. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.2.12, 3.3.5.
CVE-2019-12423 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2019-12423
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apache cxf dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
<artifactId>apache-cxf</artifactId>
<version>3.2.12</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
<artifactId>apache-cxf</artifactId>
<version>3.3.5</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
<artifactId>cxf</artifactId>
<version>3.2.12</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
<artifactId>cxf</artifactId>
<version>3.3.5</version>
</dependency>
Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cxf
How to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2019-12423, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cxf
Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apache cxf in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.2.12), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cxf command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials, where the product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval. In Apache cxf, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2019-12423 Affected Apache cxf Versions
4 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf
|
Maven |
< 3.2.12
|
3.2.12
|
|
org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf
|
Maven |
≥ 3.3.0
< 3.3.5
|
3.3.5
|
|
org.apache.cxf:cxf
|
Maven |
< 3.2.12
|
3.2.12
|
|
org.apache.cxf:cxf
|
Maven |
≥ 3.3.0
< 3.3.5
|
3.3.5
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2019-12423?
Which Apache cxf versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2019-12423?
Is apache-cxf affected?
Is cxf affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-12423?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2019-12423?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2019-12423?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-42f2-f9vc-6365",
"modified" : "2021-06-15T17:26:32Z",
"published" : "2020-05-22T19:23:04Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2019-12423" ],
"summary" : "Private key leak in Apache CXF",
"details" : "Apache CXF ships with a OpenId Connect JWK Keys service, which allows a client to obtain the public keys in JWK format, which can then be used to verify the signature of tokens issued by the service. Typically, the service obtains the public key from a local keystore (JKS/PKCS12) by specifing the path of the keystore and the alias of the keystore entry. This case is not vulnerable. However it is also possible to obtain the keys from a JWK keystore file, by setting the configuration parameter `rs.security.keystore.type` to `jwk`. For this case all keys are returned in this file "as is", including all private key and secret key credentials. This is an obvious security risk if the user has configured the signature keystore file with private or secret key credentials. From CXF 3.3.5 and 3.2.12, it is mandatory to specify an alias corresponding to the id of the key in the JWK file, and only this key is returned. In addition, any private key information is omitted by default. `oct` keys, which contain secret keys, are not returned at all.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.2.12"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "3.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.3.5"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.cxf:cxf"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.2.12"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.cxf:cxf"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "3.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.3.5"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-12423"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44ffc1a9b365327df62cdfaabe85b9a5637de102cea07d79b2dbf@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd49aabd984ed540c8ff7916d4d79405f3fa311d2fdbcf9ed307839a6@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd588ff96f18563aeb5f87ac8c6bce7aae86cb1a4d4be483f96e7208c@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rec7160382badd3ef4ad017a22f64a266c7188b9ba71394f0d321e2d4@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfb87e0bf3995e7d560afeed750fac9329ff5f1ad49da365129b7f89e@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rff42cfa5e7d75b7c1af0e37589140a8f1999e578a75738740b244bd4@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2020.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://cxf.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2019-12423.txt.asc?version=1&modificationDate=1579178393000&api=v2"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-522" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2020-05-22T19:22:30Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2020-01-16T18:15:00Z"
}
}