CVE-2020-16251: Github.com/hashicorp/vault Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2020-16251 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.2) authentication bypass vulnerability (CWE-287: Improper Authentication) affecting Github.com/hashicorp/vault libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves hashicorp vault authentication bypass. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.2.5, 1.3.8, 1.4.4, 1.5.1.
CVE-2020-16251 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 8.2
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2020-16251
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/hashicorp/vault dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
Upgrade github.com/hashicorp/vault to 1.2.5Upgrade github.com/hashicorp/vault to 1.3.8Upgrade github.com/hashicorp/vault to 1.4.4Upgrade github.com/hashicorp/vault to 1.5.1Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
inspect dependencies for github.com/hashicorp/vaultHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2020-16251, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/hashicorp/vault:
inspect dependencies for github.com/hashicorp/vaultAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/hashicorp/vault in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.2.5), your application is affected.
Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-287: Improper Authentication, where when an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. In Github.com/hashicorp/vault, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2020-16251 Affected Github.com/hashicorp/vault Versions
4 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
github.com/hashicorp/vault
|
Go |
≥ 0.8.3
< 1.2.5
|
1.2.5
|
|
github.com/hashicorp/vault
|
Go |
≥ 1.3.0
< 1.3.8
|
1.3.8
|
|
github.com/hashicorp/vault
|
Go |
≥ 1.4.0
< 1.4.4
|
1.4.4
|
|
github.com/hashicorp/vault
|
Go |
≥ 1.5.0
< 1.5.1
|
1.5.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2020-16251?
Which Github.com/hashicorp/vault versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2020-16251?
Is github.com/hashicorp/vault affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-16251?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-16251?
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2020-16251?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-4mp7-2m29-gqxf",
"modified" : "2024-09-16T17:21:31Z",
"published" : "2024-01-31T00:21:58Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2020-16251" ],
"summary" : "HashiCorp Vault Authentication bypass",
"details" : "HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 0.8.3 and newer, when configured with the GCP GCE auth method, may be vulnerable to authentication bypass. Fixed in 1.2.5, 1.3.8, 1.4.4, and 1.5.1.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/hashicorp/vault"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0.8.3"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.2.5"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/hashicorp/vault"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.3.8"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/hashicorp/vault"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.4.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.4.4"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/hashicorp/vault"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.5.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.5.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-16251"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/hashicorp/vault"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/hashicorp/vault/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#151"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.hashicorp.com/blog/category/vault"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159479/Hashicorp-Vault-GCP-IAM-Integration-Authentication-Bypass.html"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-287" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2024-01-31T00:21:58Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2020-08-26T15:15:12Z"
}
}