Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper
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.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper | < 3.7.2, >= 3.8.0, < 3.8.3, >= 3.9.0, < 3.9.1 | 3.7.2, 3.8.3, 3.9.1 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-44981
- https://github.com/apache/zookeeper
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/wf0yrk84dg1942z1o74kd8nycg6pgm5b
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/10/msg00029.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240621-0007
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5544
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/11/4
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-639- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper- Disclosed
- 11.10.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-7286-pgfv-vxvh - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper
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
- 9
- First → latest
- 05.2019 03.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 5
- Medium 3
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 1
- 2020: 0
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 2
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Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper this entry
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