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CVE-2023-44981

Apache ZooKeeper: Authorization bypass in SASL Quorum Peer Authentication

Published: Oct 11, 2023Updated: Apr 23, 2025 Sources: CVE List NVD GHSA BDUCWE-639
9.1CVSSCRITICAL

Description

Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper. If SASL Quorum Peer authentication is enabled in ZooKeeper (quorum.auth.enableSasl=true), the authorization is done by verifying that the instance part in SASL authentication ID is listed in zoo.cfg server list. The instance part in SASL auth ID is optional and if it's missing, like 'eve@EXAMPLE.COM', the authorization check will be skipped. As a result an arbitrary endpoint could join the cluster and begin propagating counterfeit changes to the leader, essentially giving it complete read-write access to the data tree. Quorum Peer authentication is not enabled by default. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.9.1, 3.8.3, 3.7.2, which fixes the issue. Alternately ensure the ensemble election/quorum communication is protected by a firewall as this will mitigate the issue. See the documentation for more details on correct cluster administration.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:NAC:LPR:NUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:N
Exploitability
AV:NAttack Vector
Network
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:NAvailability
None

Weaknesses

Affected Products

apache software foundationoss-projectUSWeb & CMS Pluginsaka apache foundation
apacheoss-projectUSWeb & CMS Pluginsaka apache http server, apache httpd
debianoss-projectGBOperating Systemsaka debian gnu/linux
and 1 more affected products View all →

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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Exploitability

Official Patch Available

MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique
Initial Access
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References

and 7 more references View all →

Timeline

Published
Oct 11, 2023
Last Updated
Apr 23, 2025

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