CVE-2011-2487: Wss4j Use Of A Broken Or Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-4qqf-hmv6-r6wh
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CVSS 5.9
CWE-327
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2011-2487 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.9) use of a broken or vulnerability (CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm) affecting Wss4j libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm in apache wss4j. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.6.5.

CVE-2011-2487 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2011-2487
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4qqf-hmv6-r6wh
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.9
CWE Classification CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
Affected Product Wss4j
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.9

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2011-2487

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Wss4j 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.ws.security:wss4j fixed: 1.6.5 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.ws.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>wss4j</artifactId>
    <version>1.6.5</version>
</dependency>
wss4j:wss4j fixed: 1.6.5 
<dependency>
    <groupId>wss4j</groupId>
    <artifactId>wss4j</artifactId>
    <version>1.6.5</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.ws.security

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2011-2487, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.ws.security

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Wss4j in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.6.5), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.ws.security 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-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm, where the product uses a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or protocol. In Wss4j, 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

The implementations of PKCS#1 v1.5 key transport mechanism for XMLEncryption in JBossWS and Apache WSS4J before 1.6.5 is susceptible to a Bleichenbacher attack.

CVE-2011-2487 Affected Wss4j Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.6.5
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.ws.security:wss4j
maven/org.apache.ws.security/wss4j
Maven
< 1.6.5
1.6.5
wss4j:wss4j
maven/wss4j/wss4j
Maven
< 1.6.5
1.6.5

References

NVD — CVE-2011-2487 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-2487
www.nds.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/research/publicatio... WEB
https://www.nds.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/research/publications/breaking-xml-encryption-pkcs15
Wss4j Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20210122063156/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/57549
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rff42cf... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rff42cfa5e7d75b7c1af0e37589140a8f1999e578a75738740b244bd4@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rff42cf... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rff42cfa5e7d75b7c1af0e37589140a8f1999e578a75738740b244bd4%40%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfb87e0... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfb87e0bf3995e7d560afeed750fac9329ff5f1ad49da365129b7f89e@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfb87e0... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfb87e0bf3995e7d560afeed750fac9329ff5f1ad49da365129b7f89e%40%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rec7160... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rec7160382badd3ef4ad017a22f64a266c7188b9ba71394f0d321e2d4@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rec7160... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rec7160382badd3ef4ad017a22f64a266c7188b9ba71394f0d321e2d4%40%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd49aab... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd49aabd984ed540c8ff7916d4d79405f3fa311d2fdbcf9ed307839a6@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd49aab... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd49aabd984ed540c8ff7916d4d79405f3fa311d2fdbcf9ed307839a6%40%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44ffc1a9b365327df62cdfaabe85b9a5637de102cea07d79b2dbf@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44ffc1a9b365327df62cdfaabe85b9a5637de102cea07d79b2dbf%40%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/817... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/81737
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi WEB
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=713539
Wss4j Security Information SECURITY
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2011-2487
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:09... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0953
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:05... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0533
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:02... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0221
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0198
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0197
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0196
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0195
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0194
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0193
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0192
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0191
cxf.apache.org/note-on-cve-2011-24... WEB
http://cxf.apache.org/note-on-cve-2011-2487.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0191.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0192.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0193.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0194.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0195.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0196.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-01... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0198.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-02... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0221.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2011-2487?
CVE-2011-2487 is a security vulnerability in Wss4j involving Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm in Apache WSS4J under CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm.
Which Wss4j versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.6.5 across affected packages: org.apache.ws.security:wss4j, wss4j:wss4j.
What version fixes CVE-2011-2487?
Upgrading to 1.6.5 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is wss4j affected?
Yes, org.apache.ws.security:wss4j is affected in releases prior to 1.6.5. Upgrade your dependency to 1.6.5 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2011-2487?
CVE-2011-2487 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2011-2487?
CVE-2011-2487 is classified under CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm (The product uses a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or protocol.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2011-2487?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.ws.security'. 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-4qqf-hmv6-r6wh",
  "modified" : "2026-04-16T19:55:02Z",
  "published" : "2022-04-22T00:24:28Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2011-2487" ],
  "summary" : "Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm  in Apache WSS4J",
  "details" : "The implementations of PKCS#1 v1.5 key transport mechanism for XMLEncryption in JBossWS and Apache WSS4J before 1.6.5 is susceptible to a Bleichenbacher attack.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.ws.security:wss4j"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.6.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "wss4j:wss4j"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.6.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-2487"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.nds.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/research/publications/breaking-xml-encryption-pkcs15"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20210122063156/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/57549"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/81737"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=713539"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2011-2487"
  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0221"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0197"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0196"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0195"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0194"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0193"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0192"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013:0191"
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  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-327" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-13T17:29:15Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2020-03-11T16:15:00Z"
  }
}