# CVE-2012-2379: XML Signature/Encryption Not Validated in Apache CXF

> Apache CXF fails to enforce WS-SecurityPolicy signing or encryption requirements, allowing attackers to bypass security controls.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not stated
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 3 Jan 2013
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2g99-c67p-56hm

## What is CVE-2012-2379?

CVE-2012-2379 is a critical vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 3 Jan 2013. It can be exploited over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache CXF 2.4.x before 2.4.8, 2.5.x before 2.5.4, and 2.6.x before 2.6.1, when a Supporting Token specifies a child WS-SecurityPolicy 1.1 or 1.2 policy, does not properly ensure that an XML element is signed or encrypted, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2012-2379?

6 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.cxf:cxf. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 2.4.0 | 2.4.8 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 2.4.0 | 2.4.8 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 2.5.0 | 2.5.4 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 2.5.0 | 2.5.4 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 2.6.0 | 2.6.1 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 2.6.0 | 2.6.1 |

Products: Apache Cxf.

## How do I fix CVE-2012-2379?

Upgrade org.apache.cxf:cxf to a fixed version for your release line: 2.4.8, 2.5.4 or 2.6.1.

## Is CVE-2012-2379 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2012-2379 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Cxf

- [CVE-2026-66909](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-66909/): Apache CXF: Unsafe deserialization of inbound JMS ObjectMessage (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-68079](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-68079/): Apache CXF: DefaultEncryptingCodeDataProvider allows unlimited authorization code replay (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-50628](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-50628/): Apache CXF: OAuth2: Inverted IP Binding Check Defeats Security Control (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2025-48913](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48913/): Apache CXF: Untrusted JMS configuration can lead to RCE (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-46364](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-46364/): Apache CXF SSRF Vulnerability (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2012-2379 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2012-2379 is a critical vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 3 Jan 2013. It can be exploited over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2012-2379 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 2.4.0; fixed in 2.4.8
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 2.4.0; fixed in 2.4.8
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 2.5.0; fixed in 2.5.4
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 2.5.0; fixed in 2.5.4
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 2.6.0; fixed in 2.6.1
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 2.6.0; fixed in 2.6.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2379/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2379/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2012-2379
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-2379
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2012-2379

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2379/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.