Authentication bypass by spoofing in Apache Cassandra
Priority LOW 37CWE-290Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-290.
Summary
Apache Cassandra versions 2.1.0 to 2.1.22, 2.2.0 to 2.2.19, 3.0.0 to 3.0.23, and 3.11.0 to 3.11.9, when using 'dc' or 'rack' internode_encryption setting, allows both encrypted and unencrypted internode connections. A misconfigured node or a malicious user can use the unencrypted connection despite not being in the same rack or dc, and bypass mutual TLS requirement.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01955 80th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven): 3.0.24, 3.11.10
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Apache Cassandra | 2.1.0 to 2.1.22; 2.2.0 to 2.2.19; 3.0.0 to 3.0.23; 3.11.0 to 3.11.9 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| — | org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven) | 2.1.0 to before 3.0.24 | 3.0.24 | Patch available | GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw |
| — | org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven) | 3.11.0 to before 3.11.10 | 3.11.10 | Patch available | GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw |
- Apache Cassandra Vendor— Affected 2.1.0 to 2.1.22; 2.2.0 to 2.2.19; 3.0.0 to 3.0.23; 3.11.0 to 3.11.9 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven) Vendor— Affected 2.1.0 to before 3.0.24 Fixed in 3.0.24 Patch available GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw
- org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven) Vendor— Affected 3.11.0 to before 3.11.10 Fixed in 3.11.10 Patch available GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:apache:cassandra:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.1.0 – 2.1.22; 2.2.0 – 2.2.19; 3.0.0 – 3.0.23; 3.11.0 – 3.11.9 | Vulnerable | Apache |
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:cassandra:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.1.0 – 2.1.22; 2.2.0 – 2.2.19; 3.0.0 – 3.0.23; 3.11.0 – 3.11.9 Vulnerable ·Apache
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven) Fixed in 3.0.24 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all (Maven) Fixed in 3.11.10 Advisory →
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Fuse 7
- Red Hat Integration Camel K 1
- Red Hat JBoss Operations Network 3
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-17516
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw
References
Advisory 2
Other 9
- http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/cassandra-user/202102.mbox/%3c6E4340A5-D7BE-4D33-9EC5-3B505A626D8D%40apache.org%3e
- [cassandra-commits] 20210217 [jira] [Created] (CASSANDRA-16455) CVE-2020-17516 mitigation in 2.2.x branch
- [cassandra-commits] 20210523 [jira] [Updated] (CASSANDRA-16455) CVE-2020-17516 mitigation in 2.2.x branch
- [cassandra-commits] 20210915 [jira] [Updated] (CASSANDRA-16455) CVE-2020-17516 mitigation in 2.2.x branch
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r81243a412a37a22211754936a13856af07cc68a93d728c52807486e9@%3Ccommits.cassandra.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rcb16f36cafa184dd159e94033f87d0fc274c4752d467f3a09f2ceae4@%3Ccommits.cassandra.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd84bec24907617bdb72f7ec907cd7437a0fd5a8886eb55aa84dd1eb8@%3Ccommits.cassandra.apache.org%3E
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210521-0002
- http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/cassandra-user/202102.mbox/%[email protected]%3e
More Apache Cassandra vulnerabilities
- TI-2016-02888 Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u113, 7u99, and 8u77; Java SE Embedded 8u77… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2021-20121 Remote code execution for scripted UDFs CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2019-02233 Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.9
- TI-2018-05793 Missing authentication in Apache Cassandra CVSS 3.0CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2016-04292 handler/ssl/OpenSslEngine.java in Netty 4.0.x before 4.0.37.Final and 4.1.x before… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2025-16827 Apache Cassandra: User with MODIFY permission on ALL KEYSPACES can escalate privileges to superuser via unsafe actions CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2020-17516 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-17516 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-2vxm-vp4c-fjfw · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-17516 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences