CVE-2017-12161: Keycloak core Keycloak-core Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-959q-32g8-vvp7
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CWE-602
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-12161 is a MODERATE keycloak-core vulnerability (CWE-602: Client-Side Enforcement of Server-Side Security) affecting Keycloak core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves keycloak-core. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.4.2.

CVE-2017-12161 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-12161
GHSA Identifier GHSA-959q-32g8-vvp7
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-602: Client-Side Enforcement of Server-Side Security
Affected Product Keycloak core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2017-12161

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Keycloak core 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.keycloak:keycloak-core fixed: 3.4.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.keycloak</groupId>
    <artifactId>keycloak-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.4.2</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.keycloak

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2017-12161, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.keycloak

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Keycloak core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.4.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.keycloak 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-602: Client-Side Enforcement of Server-Side Security, where the product is composed of a server that relies on the client to implement a mechanism that is intended to protect the server. In Keycloak core, 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

It was found that keycloak before 3.4.2 final would permit misuse of a client-side /etc/hosts entry to spoof a URL in a password reset request. An attacker could use this flaw to craft a malicious password reset request and gain a valid reset token, leading to information disclosure or further attacks.

CVE-2017-12161 Affected Keycloak core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.4.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.keycloak:keycloak-core
maven/org.keycloak/keycloak-core
Maven
< 3.4.2
3.4.2

References

NVD — CVE-2017-12161 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12161
Keycloak core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak-documentation/pull/268/commits/a2b58aadee42af2c375b72e86dffc2cf23cc3770
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi WEB
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1484564
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-959q-32g8-vvp7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-12161?
CVE-2017-12161 is a security vulnerability in Keycloak core involving keycloak-core under CWE-602: Client-Side Enforcement of Server-Side Security.
Which Keycloak core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.4.2 across affected packages: org.keycloak:keycloak-core.
What version fixes CVE-2017-12161?
Upgrading to 3.4.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is keycloak-core affected?
Yes, org.keycloak:keycloak-core is affected in releases prior to 3.4.2. Upgrade your dependency to 3.4.2 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-12161?
CVE-2017-12161 is classified under CWE-602: Client-Side Enforcement of Server-Side Security (The product is composed of a server that relies on the client to implement a mechanism that is intended to protect the server.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2017-12161?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.keycloak'. 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-959q-32g8-vvp7",
  "modified" : "2020-06-16T21:27:40Z",
  "published" : "2018-10-18T16:50:05Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-12161" ],
  "summary" : "Moderate severity vulnerability that affects org.keycloak:keycloak-core",
  "details" : "It was found that keycloak before 3.4.2 final would permit misuse of a client-side /etc/hosts entry to spoof a URL in a password reset request. An attacker could use this flaw to craft a malicious password reset request and gain a valid reset token, leading to information disclosure or further attacks.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.keycloak:keycloak-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.4.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12161"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak-documentation/pull/268/commits/a2b58aadee42af2c375b72e86dffc2cf23cc3770"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1484564"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-959q-32g8-vvp7"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-602" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:27:40Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}