# CVE-2014-3503: Apache Syncope uses a weak PNRG

> Weak random password generation in Apache Syncope allows remote attackers to guess passwords via brute force, leading to account takeover.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 11 Jul 2014
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4c72-mrhf-23cg

## What is CVE-2014-3503?

CVE-2014-3503 is a medium-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Jul 2014. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache Syncope 1.1.x before 1.1.8 uses weak random values to generate passwords, which makes it easier for remote attackers to guess the password via a brute force attack.

Weakness: CWE-310

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2014-3503?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.syncope:syncope` | Maven | From 1.1.0 | 1.1.8 |
| `org.apache.syncope:syncope` | Maven | From 1.1.0 | 1.1.8 |

Products: Apache Syncope.

## How do I fix CVE-2014-3503?

Upgrade org.apache.syncope:syncope to 1.1.8 or later.

## Is CVE-2014-3503 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2014-3503 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2026-53405](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53405/): Apache Syncope: Remote Code Execution via Flowable BPMN Groovy ScriptTask (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-53421](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53421/): Apache Syncope: Remote Code Execution via Scripted Connector (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-57308](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-57308/): Apache Syncope: SQL injection vulnerability in Audit Events search (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-62183](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-62183/): Apache Syncope: User self-service privilege escalation (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-63071](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-63071/): Apache Syncope: RCE via Groovy Sandbox bypass (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2014-3503 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2014-3503 is a medium-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Jul 2014. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2014-3503 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.syncope:syncope (Maven): affected from 1.1.0; fixed in 1.1.8
- org.apache.syncope:syncope (Maven): affected from 1.1.0; fixed in 1.1.8

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-2014-3503/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-3503/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2014-3503
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-3503
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2014-3503

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-3503/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.