Summary : A new security vulnerability CVE-2025-65998, in Apache Syncope, a popular identity & access management tool, can expose user passwords if a specific password-encryption setting is manually enabled. This issue comes from a hardcoded AES key, built into the system that makes encrypted passwords easy to decode the content of identity and access management platform.

OEM	Apache
Severity	High
CVSS Score	7.5
CVEs	CVE-2025-65998
POC Available	No
Actively Exploited	No
Exploited in Wild	No
Advisory Version	1.0

Overview : If an attacker gets access to the internal database, they can decrypt all user passwords in plain text and potentially misuse those accounts. This could allow unauthorized access, privilege escalation across connected systems. Organizations should quickly update to versions 3.0.15 or 4.0.3 to mitigate the issue. 

Vulnerability Name	CVE ID	Product Affected	Severity	CVSS Score	Fixed Version
​Apache Syncope Hardcoded AES Key Allows Password Recovery	CVE-2025-65998	Apache Syncope	High	7.5	v3.0.15+,  v4.0.3+

Technical Summary : Apache Syncope Patched Security Vulnerability Exposes User Password via Hardcoded AES Key 

This vulnerability affects Apache Syncope only when it is set to store passwords using AES encryption in its internal database. The system uses a default encryption key that is hardcoded in the source code, which makes it unsafe.

If an attacker gains access to the database, they can use this key to decrypt all stored passwords into plain text potentially compromising all user accounts in affected systems.

This puts user accounts, admin access and connected identity systems at serious risk. Environments using LDAP, SSO, or other privileged accounts are especially vulnerable and should be patched immediately. 

CVE ID	Vulnerability Details	Impact
CVE-2025-65998	Apache Syncope uses a hardcoded AES key for password encryption when internal AES password storage is enabled. Anyone with database access can decrypt user passwords into plaintext	Unauthorized access,  Privilege escalation

Remediation: 

• Upgrade all Apache Syncope instances to v3.0.15 or v4.0.3 or latest version. 

Here are some recommendations below  

• Restrict database access using network segmentation and least privilege. 

• Implement MFA where possible to reduce the risk of unauthorized access 

• Review the logs for anomalous login attempts or privilege escalation activities. 

. 

Conclusion: 
Any organization using Apache Syncope with AES password encryption turned on is a risk in the environment. Attackers who access the database can easily decrypt all stored passwords.

This can allow account misuse, unauthorized access. Organizations should quickly update to the fixed version, change affected passwords and tighten database security controls.  

References: 

• https://lists.apache.org/thread/fjh0tb0d1xkbphc5ogdsc348ppz88cts 

• https://cybersecuritynews.com/apache-syncope-vulnerability/