CVE-2020-1955

9.8 CRITICAL 2% exploit odds Fix listed Auth & access Server

What it is

CouchDB version 3.0.0 shipped with a new configuration setting that governs access control to the entire database server called `require_valid_user_except_for_up`. It was meant as an extension to the long standing setting `require_valid_user`, which in turn requires that any and all requests to CouchDB will have to be made with valid credentials, effectively forbidding any anonymous requests. The new `require_valid_user_except_for_up` is an off-by-default setting that was meant to allow requiring valid credentials for all endpoints except for the `/_up` endpoint. However, the implementation of this made an error that lead to not enforcing credentials on any endpoint, when enabled. CouchDB versions 3.0.1[1] and 3.1.0[2] fix this issue.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 1.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2020-05-20 14:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 03:02 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 1.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2020-05-20 14:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 03:02 UTC
Exploit probability: 1.8% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-306 · Missing authentication
Record status: Modified

Affected

Apache Couchdb 3.0.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8

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

Raw vector

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

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-1955.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-1955. 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