CVE-2019-16097

CVE-2019-16097 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linuxfoundation Harbor with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 22% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-862.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.5)
• CVSS v2: 4.0
• EPSS exploit prediction: 22% (98th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-862
• Affected product: Linuxfoundation Harbor
• Published: 2019-09-08
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

core/api/user.go in Harbor 1.7.0 through 1.8.2 allows non-admin users to create admin accounts via the POST /api/users API, when Harbor is setup with DB as authentication backend and allow user to do self-registration. Fixed version: v1.7.6 v1.8.3. v.1.9.0. Workaround without applying the fix: configure Harbor to use non-DB authentication backend such as LDAP.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-16097?

core/api/user.go in Harbor 1.7.0 through 1.8.2 allows non-admin users to create admin accounts via the POST /api/users API, when Harbor is setup with DB as authentication backend and allow user to do self-registration. Fixed version: v1.7.6 v1.8.3. v.1.9.0. Workaround without applying the fix: configure Harbor to use non-DB authentication backend such as LDAP.

How severe is CVE-2019-16097?

CVE-2019-16097 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2019-16097 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 22% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-16097?

CVE-2019-16097 primarily affects Linuxfoundation Harbor. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16097?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2019-16097 published?

CVE-2019-16097 was published on 2019-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0015.html
• https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/commit/b6db8a8a106259ec9a2c48be8a380cb3b37cf517
• https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/compare/v1.8.2...v1.9.0-rc1
• https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/releases/tag/v1.7.6
• https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/releases/tag/v1.8.3
• https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/critical-vulnerability-in-harbor-enables-privilege-escalation-from-zero-to-admin-cve-2019-16097/

Affected products (16)

• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.2:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.8.2:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:linuxfoundation:harbor:1.9.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*

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