OpenAM vulnerable to user impersonation using SAMLv1.x SSO process
Impact
OpenAM up to version 14.7.2 does not properly validate the signature of SAML responses received as part of the SAMLv1.x Single Sign-On process. Attackers can use this fact to impersonate any OpenAM user, including the administrator, by sending a specially crafted SAML response to the SAMLPOSTProfileServlet servlet.
Patches
This problem has been patched in OpenAM 14.7.3-SNAPSHOT and later
Workarounds
One should comment servlet SAMLPOSTProfileServlet in web.xml or disable SAML in OpenAM
<servlet>
<description>SAMLPOSTProfileServlet</description>
<servlet-name>SAMLPOSTProfileServlet</servlet-name>
<servlet-class>com.sun.identity.saml.servlet.SAMLPOSTProfileServlet</servlet-class>
</servlet>
...
<servlet-mapping>
<servlet-name>SAMLSOAPReceiver</servlet-name>
<url-pattern>/SAMLSOAPReceiver</url-pattern>
</servlet-mapping>References
#624
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-federation-library | < 14.7.3 | 14.7.3 |
References
- https://github.com/OpenIdentityPlatform/OpenAM/security/advisories/GHSA-4mh8-9wq6-rjxg
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37471
- https://github.com/OpenIdentityPlatform/OpenAM/pull/624
- https://github.com/OpenIdentityPlatform/OpenAM/commit/7c18543d126e8a567b83bb4535631825aaa9d742
- https://github.com/OpenIdentityPlatform/OpenAM
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-287- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-federation-library- Disclosed
- 20.07.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-4mh8-9wq6-rjxg - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-federation-library
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 3
- First → latest
- 07.2023 06.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 2
-
OpenAM vulnerable to user impersonation using SAMLv1.x SSO process this entry
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