CVE-2017-12636
CVE-2017-12636 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Couchdb with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 90% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
- CVSS v2: 9.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 90% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-78
- Affected product: Apache Couchdb
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
CouchDB administrative users can configure the database server via HTTP(S). Some of the configuration options include paths for operating system-level binaries that are subsequently launched by CouchDB. This allows an admin user in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to execute arbitrary shell commands as the CouchDB user, including downloading and executing scripts from the public internet.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2017-12636?
- CouchDB administrative users can configure the database server via HTTP(S). Some of the configuration options include paths for operating system-level binaries that are subsequently launched by CouchDB. This allows an admin user in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to execute arbitrary shell commands as the CouchDB user, including downloading and executing scripts from the public internet.
- How severe is CVE-2017-12636?
- CVE-2017-12636 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2017-12636 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 90% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2017-12636?
- CVE-2017-12636 primarily affects Apache Couchdb. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2017-12636?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2017-12636 published?
- CVE-2017-12636 was published on 2017-11-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6c405bf3f8358e6314076be9f48c89a2e0ddf00539906291ebdf0c67%40%3Cdev.couchdb.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/01/msg00026.html
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201711-16
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbmu03935en_us
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44913/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45019/
Affected products (6)
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:2.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:2.0.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:2.0.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:2.0.0:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:2.0.0:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Apache Couchdb
- CVE-2022-24706 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Apache CouchDB prior to 3.2.2, an attacker can access an improperly secured default installation without…
- CVE-2020-1955 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): CouchDB version 3.0.0 shipped with a new configuration setting that governs access control to the entire database…
- CVE-2017-12635 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Due to differences in the Erlang-based JSON parser and JavaScript-based JSON parser, it is possible in Apache CouchDB…
- CVE-2018-14889 — High (CVSS 7.8): CouchDB in Vectra Networks Cognito Brain and Sensor before 4.3 contains a local code execution vulnerability.
- CVE-2016-8742 — High (CVSS 7.8): The Windows installer that the Apache CouchDB team provides was vulnerable to local privilege escalation. All files in…
- CVE-2021-38295 — High (CVSS 7.3): In Apache CouchDB, a malicious user with permission to create documents in a database is able to attach a HTML…
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- CVE-2026-16812 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): VeloCloud Orchestrator (VCO) on-prem has a security issue where this issue may allow a remote attacker to access…
- CVE-2026-6516 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Zohocorp ManageEngine ADAudit Plus versions before 8606 are affected by Unauthenticated Remote code execution due to…
- CVE-2026-46339 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): 9Router is an AI router & token saver. From 0.4.30 until 0.4.37, 9Router's src/proxy.js middleware did not protect…
- CVE-2026-59726 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Ruflo is an agent meta-harness for Claude Code and Codex. Prior to 3.16.3, ruflo's default docker-compose deployment…
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Threat intelligence
Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:
- 47.236.247.176 (ipv4-addr)
- 8.211.195.173 (ipv4-addr)
- 47.237.113.119 (ipv4-addr)