CVE-2017-2646:Infinite Loop Vulnerability in Keycloak's SAML Logout Request Parser

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Description Preview

A vulnerability exists in Keycloak versions prior to 2.5.5 where the SAMLSloRequestParser.parse() method can enter an infinite loop when processing a SAML Logout request that contains Extensions in the middle of the request. This vulnerability (CWE-835: Infinite Loop) allows attackers to trigger denial of service conditions by sending specially crafted SAML logout requests to the server.

Overview

Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management solution. This vulnerability affects the SAML Single Logout (SLO) functionality within Keycloak. When a malicious actor sends a specially crafted SAML Logout request with Extensions placed in a specific position within the request structure, the parsing mechanism enters an infinite loop. This consumes server resources and can lead to a denial of service condition, making the authentication service unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Keycloak serves as a central authentication point for multiple applications.

Remediation

The recommended remediation is to upgrade Keycloak to version 2.5.5 or later, which contains a fix for this vulnerability. If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider implementing the following temporary mitigations:

  1. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter potentially malicious SAML requests
  2. Monitor server resource usage for unusual spikes that might indicate exploitation attempts
  3. Implement rate limiting for authentication endpoints to reduce the impact of potential attacks
  4. Consider implementing network-level protection to block suspicious traffic patterns targeting SAML endpoints

References

  1. Red Hat Bugzilla: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2017-2646
  2. SecurityFocus: http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96882
  3. Common Weakness Enumeration: CWE-835 (Infinite Loop)
  4. Keycloak Security Advisories: Check the official Keycloak documentation for additional security information

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  2. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  3. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  4. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  5. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  6. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  7. Construction
    Construction
  8. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  9. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  10. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  11. Information
    Information
  12. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  13. Mining
    Mining
  14. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  15. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  16. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  17. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  18. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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