CVE-2014-3503: Syncope Apache Syncope Uses A Weak Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-4c72-mrhf-23cg
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CWE-338
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2014-3503 is a MODERATE apache syncope uses a weak vulnerability (CWE-338: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)) affecting Syncope libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache syncope uses a weak pnrg. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.1.8.

CVE-2014-3503 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2014-3503
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4c72-mrhf-23cg
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-338: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)
Affected Product Syncope
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2014-3503

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Syncope dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.syncope:syncope fixed: 1.1.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.syncope</groupId>
    <artifactId>syncope</artifactId>
    <version>1.1.8</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.syncope

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2014-3503, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.syncope

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Syncope in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.1.8), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.syncope 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-338: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG), where the product uses a pseudo-random number generator (prng) in a security context, but the prng's algorithm is not cryptographically strong. In Syncope, 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

Apache Syncope 1.1.x before 1.1.8 uses weak random values to generate passwords, which makes it easier for remote attackers to guess the password via a brute force attack.

CVE-2014-3503 Affected Syncope Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.1.8
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.syncope:syncope
maven/org.apache.syncope/syncope
Maven
≥ 1.1.0
< 1.1.8
1.1.8

References

NVD — CVE-2014-3503 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-3503
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/syncope/commit/8e0045925a387ee211832c7e0709dd418cda1ad3
Syncope Security Information SECURITY
https://syncope.apache.org/security.html#cve-2014-3503-insecure-random-implementations-used-to-generate-p
Syncope Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20140728093808/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/68431
Syncope Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20201207014021/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/532669/100/0/threaded
Syncope Security Information SECURITY
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/127375/Apache-Syncope-Insecure-Password-Generation.html
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=r1596537

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2014-3503?
CVE-2014-3503 is a security vulnerability in Syncope involving Apache Syncope uses a weak PNRG under CWE-338: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG).
Which Syncope versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.1.8 across affected packages: org.apache.syncope:syncope.
What version fixes CVE-2014-3503?
Upgrading to 1.1.8 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is syncope affected?
Yes, org.apache.syncope:syncope is affected in releases prior to 1.1.8. Upgrade your dependency to 1.1.8 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2014-3503?
CVE-2014-3503 is classified under CWE-338: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) (The product uses a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) in a security context, but the PRNG's algorithm is not cryptographically strong.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2014-3503?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.syncope'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-4c72-mrhf-23cg",
  "modified" : "2023-08-15T22:11:49Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-14T02:52:41Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2014-3503" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Syncope uses a weak PNRG",
  "details" : "Apache Syncope 1.1.x before 1.1.8 uses weak random values to generate passwords, which makes it easier for remote attackers to guess the password via a brute force attack.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.syncope:syncope"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "1.1.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.1.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-3503"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/syncope/commit/8e0045925a387ee211832c7e0709dd418cda1ad3"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://syncope.apache.org/security.html#cve-2014-3503-insecure-random-implementations-used-to-generate-p"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20140728093808/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/68431"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20201207014021/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/532669/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/127375/Apache-Syncope-Insecure-Password-Generation.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=r1596537"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-338" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-08-15T22:11:49Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2014-07-11T14:55:00Z"
  }
}