CVE-2020-11980

6.3 MEDIUM 2% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

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.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. Limited direct impact.
Exploit odds: 1.9% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2020-06-12 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 02:51 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 1.9% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 6.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2020-06-12 22:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 02:51 UTC
Exploit probability: 1.9% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-918 · Server-side request forgery
Record status: Modified

Affected

Apache Karaf < 4.2.9

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.3

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: Low
Integrity: Low
Availability: Low

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

Is it in your code?

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Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-11980.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-11980. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record