CVE-2017-12624: Cxf core Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7vgj-8mw4-hg8r
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CVSS 5.5
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-12624 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.5) improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Cxf core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in apache cxf. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.2.1, 3.1.14, 3.0.16.

CVE-2017-12624 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-12624
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7vgj-8mw4-hg8r
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.5
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Cxf core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

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

How to Fix CVE-2017-12624

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Cxf 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.apache.cxf:cxf-core fixed: 3.2.1 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
    <artifactId>cxf-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.2.1</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.cxf:cxf-core fixed: 3.1.14 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
    <artifactId>cxf-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.1.14</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.cxf:cxf-core fixed: 3.0.16 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.cxf</groupId>
    <artifactId>cxf-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.0.16</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.cxf

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2017-12624, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

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

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Cxf core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.2.1), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cxf 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-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In Cxf 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

Apache CXF supports sending and receiving attachments via either the JAX-WS or JAX-RS specifications. It is possible to craft a message attachment header that could lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack on a CXF web service provider. Both JAX-WS and JAX-RS services are vulnerable to this attack. From Apache CXF 3.2.1 and 3.1.14, message attachment headers that are greater than 300 characters will be rejected by default. This value is configurable via the property "attachment-max-header-size".

CVE-2017-12624 Affected Cxf core Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.2.13.1.143.0.16
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.cxf:cxf-core
maven/org.apache.cxf/cxf-core
Maven
≥ 3.2.0
< 3.2.1
All 1 versions
3.2.0
3.2.1
org.apache.cxf:cxf-core
maven/org.apache.cxf/cxf-core
Maven
≥ 3.1.0
< 3.1.14
3.1.14
org.apache.cxf:cxf-core
maven/org.apache.cxf/cxf-core
Maven
< 3.0.16
3.0.16

References

NVD — CVE-2017-12624 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12624
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/cxf/commit/896bd961cbbb6b8569700e5b70229f78f94ad9d
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/cxf/commit/8bd915bfd7735c248ad660059c6b6ad26cdbcdf6
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/cxf/commit/a2ce435cf0eedc8158d118d6d275114408d2a376
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:24... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2423
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:24... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2424
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:24... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2425
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:24... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2428
Cxf core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/cxf
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/cxf-750... WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CXF-7507
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r36e44ffc1a9b365327df62cdfaabe85b9a5637de102cea07d79b2dbf@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc77427... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc774278135816e7afc943dc9fc78eb0764f2c84a2b96470a0187315c@%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/rec7160... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rec7160382badd3ef4ad017a22f64a266c7188b9ba71394f0d321e2d4@%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/rff42cf... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rff42cfa5e7d75b7c1af0e37589140a8f1999e578a75738740b244bd4@%3Ccommits.cxf.apache.org%3E
Cxf core Security Information SECURITY
http://cxf.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2017-12624.txt.asc

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-12624?
CVE-2017-12624 is a security vulnerability in Cxf core involving Improper Input Validation in Apache CXF under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Cxf core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.2.1, 3.1.14, 3.0.16 across affected packages: org.apache.cxf:cxf-core.
What version fixes CVE-2017-12624?
Upgrading to 3.2.1, 3.1.14, 3.0.16 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is cxf-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.cxf:cxf-core is affected in releases prior to 3.2.1, 3.1.14, 3.0.16. Upgrade your dependency to 3.2.1, 3.1.14, 3.0.16 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-12624?
CVE-2017-12624 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-12624?
CVE-2017-12624 is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation (The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2017-12624?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cxf'. 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 
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    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CXF-7507"
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  }, {
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  }, {
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}