CVE-2025-54981: 
Java vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-54981 is a weak encryption algorithm vulnerability in Apache StreamPark affecting versions 2.0.0 through 2.1.6. The flaw involves the use of AES in ECB (Electronic Codebook) mode combined with a weak random number generator to encrypt sensitive data, including JWT tokens, potentially exposing sensitive authentication credentials to attackers. It was disclosed on December 12, 2025, by researcher omkar parkhe and reported via the Apache Software Foundation mailing list. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (High) and a CVSS v4.0 score of 8.7 (High) (Github Advisory, Openwall OSS-Sec).

The root cause is classified as CWE-327 (Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm). AES in ECB mode is deterministic and does not use an initialization vector, meaning identical plaintext blocks always produce identical ciphertext blocks — making it vulnerable to pattern analysis and replay attacks. Combined with a weak (non-cryptographically secure) random number generator for key or token generation, an attacker could potentially predict or reconstruct JWT tokens and other authentication secrets without requiring any prior authentication. The fix is available in commit 39034db in the Apache StreamPark repository (Github Advisory, Apache Mailing List).

Successful exploitation could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to decrypt or forge JWT tokens and other sensitive authentication data used by Apache StreamPark. This primarily impacts confidentiality — integrity and availability are not directly affected. Compromised authentication tokens could enable unauthorized access to the StreamPark platform, potentially allowing an attacker to impersonate legitimate users, access stream processing job configurations, and pivot to connected data infrastructure (Github Advisory, Feedly).

1. Reconnaissance: Identify internet-facing Apache StreamPark instances running versions 2.0.0 through 2.1.6 using tools like Shodan or Censys, or by inspecting Maven dependency manifests (org.apache.streampark:streampark).
2. Obtain encrypted token material: Intercept network traffic or access stored/transmitted JWT tokens from the StreamPark application (e.g., via network sniffing on unencrypted channels or by accessing exposed API responses).
3. Exploit ECB mode weakness: Because AES-ECB produces identical ciphertext for identical plaintext blocks, analyze captured ciphertext for repeating patterns to infer plaintext structure or perform block-level manipulation (cut-and-paste attacks).
4. Exploit weak RNG: If the random number generator used for key or token generation is predictable (e.g., seeded with a timestamp or low-entropy source), attempt to brute-force or predict the key/seed using cryptanalysis tools.
5. Forge or decrypt authentication tokens: Use the recovered or predicted key to decrypt existing JWT tokens or forge new ones, gaining unauthorized access to the StreamPark platform as any user, including administrators (Github Advisory, Openwall OSS-Sec).

• Network: Unusual or repeated authentication attempts using JWT tokens that do not correspond to active user sessions; unexpected API calls from unfamiliar IP addresses using valid tokens.
• Logs: StreamPark access logs showing successful authentication from unexpected source IPs or at unusual times; multiple sessions active for the same user account simultaneously.
• Application: Presence of forged or structurally anomalous JWT tokens in application logs (e.g., tokens with unexpected claims or expiry values); authentication events for accounts that have not recently logged in.
• File System: No specific file artifacts are known at this time, as exploitation is primarily cryptographic in nature.

The primary remediation is to upgrade Apache StreamPark to version 2.1.7, which replaces AES-ECB mode with a more secure cipher mode and addresses the weak random number generator (Github Advisory, Apache Mailing List). After upgrading, administrators should audit and rotate all existing JWT tokens and authentication credentials that may have been generated under the vulnerable configuration. As an interim measure if immediate upgrade is not possible, restrict network access to StreamPark instances and ensure all traffic is encrypted in transit to limit token interception opportunities.

The vulnerability was disclosed via the Apache Software Foundation mailing list and the oss-security list on December 12, 2025, with credit given to researcher omkar parkhe as the finder (Openwall OSS-Sec). Security news outlet SecurityOnline.info covered the flaw, highlighting the risks of data decryption and token forgery via the hard-coded key and AES-ECB mode. Community reaction has been moderate, with the vulnerability noted in security aggregators and Bluesky infosec community posts, but no major controversy or widespread alarm given the absence of active exploitation.