Apache Pulsar SASL Authentication Provider observable timing discrepancy vulnerability
Observable timing discrepancy vulnerability in Apache Pulsar SASL Authentication Provider can allow an attacker to forge a SASL Role Token that will pass signature verification.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.11.3, 3.0.2, or 3.1.1 which fixes the issue. Users should also consider updating the configured secret in the saslJaasServerRoleTokenSignerSecretPath file.
Any component matching an above version running the SASL Authentication Provider is affected. That includes the Pulsar Broker, Proxy, Websocket Proxy, or Function Worker.
2.11 Pulsar users should upgrade to at least 2.11.3. 3.0 Pulsar users should upgrade to at least 3.0.2. 3.1 Pulsar users should upgrade to at least 3.1.1. Any users running Pulsar 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, and earlier should upgrade to one of the above patched versions.
For additional details on this attack vector, please refer to https://codahale.com/a-lesson-in-timing-attacks/ .
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-broker-auth-sasl | < 2.11.3, >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.2, >= 3.1.0, < 3.1.1 | 2.11.3, 3.0.2, 3.1.1 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51437
- https://github.com/apache/pulsar/pull/21061
- https://github.com/apache/pulsar/commit/6274fa01a75d74d559bb7e514c970f1fc07d15bc
- https://github.com/apache/pulsar/commit/bc1019fa8ed37b8a4c8bb01e3662c6c015e1bc27
- https://github.com/apache/pulsar/commit/c05954e66ff33098aeb848f4bde51613ace7e47e
- https://github.com/apache/pulsar/commit/c27beca64cc93848c40a374f19eaf4d3cc4f4f03
- https://github.com/apache/pulsar
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/5kgmvvolf5tzp5rz9xjwfg2ncwvqqgl5
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/07/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/07/1
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-200, CWE-203- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-broker-auth-sasl- Disclosed
- 07.02.2024
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-c57v-4vg5-cm2x - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-broker-auth-sasl
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.
This is the only known vulnerability of this package.
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