CVE-2025-57738: 
Java vulnerability analysis and mitigation

Apache Syncope disclosed a critical security vulnerability (CVE-2025-57738) that affects versions 3.x (before 3.0.14) and 4.x (before 4.0.2). The vulnerability allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through Groovy code injection. The issue was discovered in October 2025 and was fixed with the release of versions 3.0.14 and 4.0.2 (Apache NVD, GBHackers).

The vulnerability exists in Apache Syncope's custom implementation engine, which allows administrators to extend core functionality by uploading custom Java or Groovy code. While Java implementations require compiled JAR files, Groovy implementations can be uploaded as source code and compiled at runtime. The critical flaw lies in how unpatched versions handle Groovy code execution without any sandbox restrictions. On vulnerable versions, Syncope uses a plain GroovyClassLoader to compile and execute administrator-supplied Groovy code with the full privileges of the running Syncope Core process. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.2 (High) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (GBHackers).

The impact of successful exploitation is severe. Attackers can execute arbitrary operating system commands, create or modify files on the server filesystem, exfiltrate sensitive data including credentials and configuration secrets, and potentially pivot to other systems in the hosting environment depending on network segmentation and container security measures (GBHackers).

Apache has released patched versions 3.0.14 and 4.0.2 that fix this issue by forcing the Groovy code to run in a sandbox. The sandbox implementation prevents malicious code from accessing dangerous APIs like Runtime.exec, ProcessBuilder, and unrestricted file input/output operations. Organizations running affected versions should immediately upgrade to these patched releases (Apache NVD, GBHackers).