Apache Syncope: Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization
CVE-2025-57738 is a high-severity improper isolation or compartmentalization vulnerability in Apache Syncope from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Apache Syncope versions: 2.1 through 2.1.14; 3.0 through 3.0.13; 4.0 through 4.0.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 24.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 2.11% of all scored CVEs.
EPSS places it among the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited soon.
What to do
- Update Syncope to 3.0.14 or 4.0.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Syncope | 2.1 through 2.1.14; 3.0 through 3.0.13; 4.0 through 4.0.1 | Not stated |
| Apache | Syncope | 2.1.0 up to, but not including, 3.0.14; 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.0.2 | 3.0.14, 4.0.2 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
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. Such 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. Users 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.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization
The product does not properly compartmentalize or isolate functionality, processes, or resources that require different privilege levels, rights, or permissions.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Break up privileges between different modules, objects, or entities. Minimize the interfaces between modules and require strong access control between them.
More Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization vulnerabilities (CWE-653)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- lists.apache.org/thread/x7cv6xv7z76y49grdr1hgj1pzw5zbby6Mailing List, Release Notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Syncope
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.