CVE-2016-5016: Improper Certificate Validation in Cloud Foundry
Summary
CVE-2016-5016: Cloud Foundry vulnerable to Improper Certificate Validation. Affects org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server across 2 version ranges.
>= 3.0.0, < 3.3.0.3
>= 3.4.0, < 3.4.2
Fixed in 3.3.0.3 or 3.4.2, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
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Background
Cloud Foundry is an open-source platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that provides a cloud-native application runtime environment. It allows developers to deploy, scale, and manage applications across multiple cloud providers. The vulnerable component in Cloud Foundry is the User Account and Authentication Server (UAA) and the Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime. These components are responsible for user authentication and authorization within the Cloud Foundry platform.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2016-5016, arises from the improper validation of certificates in Cloud Foundry. Specifically, versions 239 and earlier of Pivotal Cloud Foundry, versions 3.4.1 and earlier of UAA, versions 12.2 and earlier of UAA release, and versions 1.6.x before 1.6.35 and 1.7.x before 1.7.13 of PCF Elastic Runtime do not properly validate if a certificate is expired. This flaw could allow an attacker to use an expired or revoked certificate to authenticate and gain unauthorized access to the Cloud Foundry platform.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 4.30.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
>= 3.0.0, < 3.3.0.33.3.0.3 -
>= 3.4.0, < 3.4.23.4.2
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the necessary patches or upgrades as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability CVE-2016-5016 in Cloud Foundry arises from the improper validation of certificates. Upgrading to the fixed versions of the affected components will mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server →
FAQ
Cloud Foundry is an open-source platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that provides a cloud-native application runtime environment. It allows developers to deploy, scale, and manage applications across multiple cloud providers.
The User Account and Authentication Server (UAA) is a component of Cloud Foundry responsible for user authentication and authorization within the platform.
Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime is a component of Cloud Foundry that provides the runtime environment for deploying and managing applications.
This vulnerability could allow an attacker to use an expired or revoked certificate to authenticate and gain unauthorized access to the Cloud Foundry platform.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to the fixed versions of the affected components as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server.
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