# CVE-2019-12423: Private key leak in Apache CXF

> An attacker can read private and secret keys if the JWK keystore type is configured, exposing sensitive cryptographic material.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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:** 16 Jan 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-42f2-f9vc-6365

## What is CVE-2019-12423?

CVE-2019-12423 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 16 Jan 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache CXF ships with a OpenId Connect JWK Keys service, which allows a client to obtain the public keys in JWK format, which can then be used to verify the signature of tokens issued by the service. Typically, the service obtains the public key from a local keystore (JKS/PKCS12) by specifing the path of the keystore and the alias of the keystore entry. This case is not vulnerable. However it is also possible to obtain the keys from a JWK keystore file, by setting the configuration parameter "rs.security.keystore.type" to "jwk". For this case all keys are returned in this file "as is", including all private key and secret key credentials. This is an obvious security risk if the user has configured the signature keystore file with private or secret key credentials. From CXF 3.3.5 and 3.2.12, it is mandatory to specify an alias corresponding to the id of the key in the JWK file, and only this key is returned. In addition, any private key information is omitted by default. "oct" keys, which contain secret keys, are not returned at all.

Weakness: CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-12423?

8 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf and org.apache.cxf:cxf. It affects 8 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf` | Maven | All versions | 3.2.12 |
| `org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf` | Maven | All versions | 3.2.12 |
| `org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf` | Maven | From 3.3.0 | 3.3.5 |
| `org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf` | Maven | From 3.3.0 | 3.3.5 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | All versions | 3.2.12 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | All versions | 3.2.12 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 3.3.0 | 3.3.5 |
| `org.apache.cxf:cxf` | Maven | From 3.3.0 | 3.3.5 |

Products: Apache Cxf, Oracle Commerce Guided Search, Oracle Communications Diameter Signaling Router, Oracle Communications Element Manager, Oracle Communications Session Report Manager, Oracle Communications Session Route Manager, Oracle Flexcube Private Banking, Oracle Retail Order Broker.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-12423?

Upgrade org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf to a fixed version for your release line: 3.2.12 or 3.3.5.

## Is CVE-2019-12423 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-12423 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Cxf

- [CVE-2012-2379](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2379/): XML Signature/Encryption Not Validated in Apache CXF (critical 10.0)
- [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)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-12423 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-12423 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 16 Jan 2020. 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-2019-12423 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.2.12
- org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.2.12
- org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf (Maven): affected from 3.3.0; fixed in 3.3.5
- org.apache.cxf:apache-cxf (Maven): affected from 3.3.0; fixed in 3.3.5
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.2.12
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.2.12
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 3.3.0; fixed in 3.3.5
- org.apache.cxf:cxf (Maven): affected from 3.3.0; fixed in 3.3.5

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-2019-12423/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12423/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-12423
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-12423
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-12423

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12423/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.