CVE-2025-57738: Spring Framework Apache Syncope Allows Malicious Administrators Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2025-57738 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.2) apache syncope allows malicious administrators vulnerability (CWE-653: Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache syncope allows malicious administrators to inject groovy code. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.0.14, 4.0.2.
CVE-2025-57738 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.2
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2025-57738
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Spring Framework 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.syncope.core</groupId>
<artifactId>syncope-core-spring</artifactId>
<version>3.0.14</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.syncope.core</groupId>
<artifactId>syncope-core-spring</artifactId>
<version>4.0.2</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.syncope.coreHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2025-57738, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.syncope.coreAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Spring Framework in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.0.14), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.syncope.core 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-653: Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization, where the product does not properly compartmentalize or isolate functionality, processes, or resources that require different privilege levels, rights, or permissions. In Spring Framework, 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-2025-57738 Affected Spring Framework Versions
2 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.syncope.core:syncope-core-spring
|
Maven |
< 3.0.14
|
3.0.14
|
|
org.apache.syncope.core:syncope-core-spring
|
Maven |
≥ 4.0.0-M0
< 4.0.2
|
4.0.2
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2025-57738?
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2025-57738?
Is syncope-core-spring affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-57738?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2025-57738?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2025-57738?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-825g-mm5v-ggq4",
"modified" : "2025-11-05T20:49:44Z",
"published" : "2025-10-20T15:30:25Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2025-57738" ],
"summary" : "Apache Syncope allows malicious administrators to inject Groovy code",
"details" : "Apache Syncope offers the ability to extend / customize the base behavior on every deployment by allowing to provide custom implementations of a few Java interfaces; such implementations can be provided either as Java or Groovy classes, with the latter being particularly attractive as the machinery is set for runtime reload.\nSuch a feature has been available for a while, but recently it was discovered that a malicious administrator can inject Groovy code that can be executed remotely by a running Apache Syncope Core instance.\nUsers are recommended to upgrade to version 3.0.14 / 4.0.2, which fix this issue by forcing the Groovy code to run in a sandbox.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.syncope.core:syncope-core-spring"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.0.14"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.syncope.core:syncope-core-spring"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.0.0-M0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.0.2"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-57738"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/syncope/commit/88c2b5b0be9e2ed66007d672e786165bc266e717"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/syncope/commit/8b08c4d5785599a0e38830dcff89738b93f02a16"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/SYNCOPE-1907"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/x7cv6xv7z76y49grdr1hgj1pzw5zbby6"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://syncope.apache.org/security#CVE-2025-57738"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "http://github.com/apache/syncope"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/10/20/1"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-653" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2025-10-20T20:08:22Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2025-10-20T15:15:33Z"
}
}