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6.3

Karaf: Non-Admin Users May Access Remote Resources

CVE-2020-11980 · published 6 years ago
Summary

A security issue in Karaf allows non-admin users with a 'viewer' role to access remote servers and potentially escalate their privileges by polluting the MBean registry. To fix this, update to Karaf version 4.2.9 or newer.

What to do
  • Update apache org.apache.karaf.management:org.apache.karaf.management.server to version 4.2.9.
  • Update apache karaf to version 4.2.9 or later.
Affected software
Ecosystem VendorProductAffected versions
maven apache org.apache.karaf.management:org.apache.karaf.management.server < 4.2.9
Fix: upgrade to 4.2.9
– apache karaf < 4.2.9
cpe:2.3:a:apache:karaf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Original advisory text
In Karaf, JMX authentication takes place using JAAS and authorization takes place using ACL files. By default, only an "admin" can actually invoke on an MBean. However there is a vulnerability ther...
In Karaf, JMX authentication takes place using JAAS and authorization takes place using ACL files. By default, only an "admin" can actually invoke on an MBean. However there is a vulnerability there for someone who is not an admin, but has a "viewer" role. In the 'etc/jmx.acl.cfg', such as role can call get*. It's possible to authenticate as a viewer role + invokes on the MLet getMBeansFromURL method, which goes off to a remote server to fetch the desired MBean, which is then registered in Karaf. At this point the attack fails as "viewer" doesn't have the permission to invoke on the MBean. Still, it could act as a SSRF style attack and also it essentially allows a "viewer" role to pollute the MBean registry, which is a kind of privilege escalation. The vulnerability is low as it's possible to add a ACL to limit access. Users should update to Apache Karaf 4.2.9 or newer.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 60 days
Internal At next upgrade
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Needs hands-on effort to exploit (estimated)
  • Gives an attacker partial control (estimated)
Severity
6.3 Medium
Exploitation
2% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-918Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Timeline
Published12 Jun 2020
Updated3 Nov 2026
First seen6 Mar 2026
Sources
GHSA-9jg9-6wm2-x7p5 · GHSA
CVE-2020-11980 · NVD
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