Executive brief
Apache Syncope, an open-source system for managing digital identities, contains a flaw that allows users to elevate their own privileges. By sending a specific request to the system's programming interface (API), a regular user can assign themselves administrative roles and gain full control over the platform. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive identity data or complete system takeover.
Technical details
An improper privilege management vulnerability (CWE-269) exists in Apache Syncope when using either the all-Java user workflow adapter or the Flowable user workflow adapter (specifically when BPMN definitions do not require admin approval for self-registration or updates). An attacker can exploit this by sending a crafted REST API call to grant themselves defined Roles and their associated Entitlements. This effectively allows a non-privileged user to escalate their privileges to those of an administrator. The vulnerability is fixed in versions 4.0.7 and 4.1.2.
Affected products
- Apache Syncope 3.0.0-M0 through 3.0.16, 4.0.0-M0 through 4.0.6, 4.1.0-M0 through 4.1.1
Timeline
- 2026-07-20: disclosed: Initial advisory publication
- 2026-07-20: advisory: NVD record published