A significant issue has been disclosed that affects multiple versions of the identity and access management platform.
The flaw stems from a hardcoded default encryption key used for password storage, allowing attackers with database access to recover plaintext passwords.
The vulnerability impacts Apache Syncope when configured to store user passwords in the internal database with AES encryption.
While this configuration option is not enabled by default, organizations that have specifically enabled this feature face a serious risk.
When AES encryption is active, the system relies on a hardcoded default key value embedded directly in the source code.
This design flaw means that any attacker gaining access to the internal database can easily reconstruct the original cleartext password values using the publicly known default encryption key.
The vulnerability does not affect encrypted plain attributes, which use a separate AES encryption mechanism and remain secure even in compromised scenarios.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| CVE ID | CVE-2025-65998 |
| Vulnerability Title | Apache Syncope Hardcoded Encryption Key Allows Password Recovery |
| Affected Products | Apache Syncope (org.apache.syncope.core:syncope-core-spring) |
| Vulnerability Type | Use of Hardcoded Cryptographic Key (CWE-798) |
| Impact | Confidentiality Breach – Password Recovery |
| CVSS v3.1 Base Score | 7.5 (High) – Database Compromise |
Organizations running these versions with AES password encryption enabled should prioritize immediate remediation. Apache Syncope has released patched versions addressing this vulnerability.
Users should upgrade to version 3.0.15 or 4.0.3, which completely fixes this issue. Administrators should first inventory their deployments to identify whether AES password encryption is currently enabled.
If enabled, upgrading to the patched versions is critical to prevent password compromise. This vulnerability has a significant severity rating due to its potential for widespread credential theft.
Any attacker with database access can leverage the hardcoded encryption key to decrypt stored passwords, potentially compromising all user accounts in affected systems.
This is particularly dangerous for organizations that manage large user populations or handle sensitive identity data.
Organizations using Apache Syncope should immediately review their encryption configuration and apply the latest security patches.
Security teams should also conduct password audits for users whose credentials may have been exposed during the vulnerable period.
Follow us on Google News, LinkedIn, and X for daily cybersecurity updates. Contact us to feature your stories.
A critical SonicWall SMA1000 flaw, CVE-2026-102255 (CVSS 10.0), is being actively exploited days after disclosure,…
Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, suffered a sustained distributed denial-of-service attack on October 8,…
Yandex has confirmed a major service outage after drone attacks damaged three data centers in…
Attackers are targeting a critical security flaw in the Bricksforge WordPress plugin that lets them…
Security researchers have disclosed four serious vulnerabilities in LG webOS smart TVs that could allow…
Ahold Delhaize has taken some systems offline after identifying a security issue within its network,…