Summary
A flaw exists in the SAML signature validation method within the Keycloak XMLSignatureUtil class. The method incorrectly determines whether a SAML signature is for the full document or only for specific assertions based on the position of the signature in the XML document, rather than the Reference element used to specify the signed element. This flaw allows attackers to create crafted responses that can bypass the validation, potentially leading to privilege escalation or impersonation attacks.
Impact
CVE-2024-8698 has a CVSS score of 7.7 (High). The vector is network-reachable, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (22.0.13, 24.0.8, 25.0.6); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-core to 22.0.13 or later; org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-core to 24.0.8 or later; org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-core to 25.0.6 or later
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2024-8698? CVE-2024-8698 is a high-severity security vulnerability in org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-core (maven), affecting versions <= 22.0.12. It is fixed in 22.0.13, 24.0.8, 25.0.6.
- How severe is CVE-2024-8698? CVE-2024-8698 has a CVSS score of 7.7 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-core are affected by CVE-2024-8698? org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-core (maven) versions <= 22.0.12 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2024-8698? Yes. CVE-2024-8698 is fixed in 22.0.13, 24.0.8, 25.0.6. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2024-8698 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-8698 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2024-8698 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2024-8698?
- Upgrade
org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-coreto 22.0.13 or later - Upgrade
org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-coreto 24.0.8 or later - Upgrade
org.keycloak:keycloak-saml-coreto 25.0.6 or later
- Upgrade