CVE-2012-5351: Axis2 Improper Authentication Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-66rx-gqx3-p98m
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CWE-287
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-5351 is a MODERATE improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287: Improper Authentication) affecting Axis2 libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper authentication in apache axis2. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.6.4.

CVE-2012-5351 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-5351
GHSA Identifier GHSA-66rx-gqx3-p98m
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-287: Improper Authentication
Affected Product Axis2
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2012-5351

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Axis2 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.axis2:axis2 fixed: 1.6.4 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.axis2</groupId>
    <artifactId>axis2</artifactId>
    <version>1.6.4</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.axis2

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2012-5351, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.axis2

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Axis2 in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.6.4), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.axis2 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-287: Improper Authentication, where when an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. In Axis2, 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 Axis2 allows remote attackers to forge messages and bypass authentication via a SAML assertion that lacks a Signature element, aka a "Signature exclusion attack," a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-4418.

CVE-2012-5351 Affected Axis2 Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.6.4
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.axis2:axis2
maven/org.apache.axis2/axis2
Maven
< 1.6.4
1.6.4

References

NVD — CVE-2012-5351 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-5351
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/794... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/79487
Axis2 Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
www.nds.rub.de/media/nds/veroeffen... WEB
http://www.nds.rub.de/media/nds/veroeffentlichungen/2012/08/22/BreakingSAML_3.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-5351?
CVE-2012-5351 is a security vulnerability in Axis2 involving Improper Authentication in Apache Axis2 under CWE-287: Improper Authentication.
Which Axis2 versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.6.4 across affected packages: org.apache.axis2:axis2.
What version fixes CVE-2012-5351?
Upgrading to 1.6.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is axis2 affected?
Yes, org.apache.axis2:axis2 is affected in releases prior to 1.6.4. Upgrade your dependency to 1.6.4 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-5351?
CVE-2012-5351 is classified under CWE-287: Improper Authentication (When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-5351?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.axis2'. 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-66rx-gqx3-p98m",
  "modified" : "2022-07-13T15:30:42Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:01:04Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2012-5351" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Authentication in Apache Axis2",
  "details" : "Apache Axis2 allows remote attackers to forge messages and bypass authentication via a SAML assertion that lacks a Signature element, aka a \"Signature exclusion attack,\" a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-4418. ",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.axis2:axis2"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.6.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-5351"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/79487"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.nds.rub.de/media/nds/veroeffentlichungen/2012/08/22/BreakingSAML_3.pdf"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-287" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-13T15:30:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-10-09T23:55:00Z"
  }
}