Apache Syncope Flaw Lets Attackers Dump Internal Database Contents

Security teams using Apache Syncope face a new risk. A flaw in this open-source identity management tool allows attackers to steal user passwords from its internal database.

Tracked as CVE-2025-65998, the issue has “Important” severity. Researchers urge quick upgrades to block password theft.

Apache Syncope helps organizations manage user identities, roles, and access. Many setups store sensitive data in their backend database.

This vulnerability strikes when admins turn on AES encryption for user passwords a non-default option meant to add protection.

Vulnerability Mechanics

The problem stems from a hard-coded AES encryption key baked right into Syncope’s source code.

Attackers who breach the internal database can use this predictable key to decrypt and recover plaintext passwords. No fancy exploits needed just database access unlocks the secrets.

Plain attributes encrypted with AES remain safe because they are handled differently. Still, password exposure risks account for takeovers, privilege escalation, or broader network compromise.

An attacker might chain this with other flaws, such as SQL injection, to obtain initial database access.

Affected versions span multiple Syncope releases:

Component	Affected Versions
syncope-core-spring	2.1.0 – 2.1.14
syncope-core-spring	3.0.0 – 3.0.14
syncope-core-spring	4.0.0 – 4.0.2

Clemens Bergmann from the Technical University of Darmstadt found the flaw. He reported it responsibly, earning credit from Apache.

Fixes and Next Steps

Upgrade immediately to patched versions: Syncope 3.0.15 or 4.0.3. These releases replace the hard-coded key with secure, generated keys.

Admins should also review configs disable AES password storage if unused, or switch to stronger external key management.

Scan environments with tools such as Nessus or Qualys for vulnerable Syncope installations. Monitor database logs for unauthorized queries.

Organizations in regulated sectors, such as finance or healthcare, face additional compliance headaches from potential password leaks.

Apache Syncope remains popular for its flexibility with LDAP, SAML, and OAuth.

This fix highlights the need to avoid hard-coded secrets in any crypto implementation. Check your deployment now.