How severe is CVE-2020-35189?

CVE-2020-35189 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-35189 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-35189?

CVE-2020-35189 affects Kong Kong Alpine Docker Image. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-35189?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-35189 published?

CVE-2020-35189 was published on 2020-12-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-35189

CVE-2020-35189 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Kong Kong Alpine Docker Image with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-306.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (80th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: Kong Kong Alpine Docker Image
Published: 2020-12-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The official kong docker images before 1.0.2-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root user. System using the kong docker container deployed by affected versions of the docker image may allow a remote attacker to achieve root access with a blank password.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-35189?: The official kong docker images before 1.0.2-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root user. System using the kong docker container deployed by affected versions of the docker image may allow a remote attacker to achieve root access with a blank password.
How severe is CVE-2020-35189?: CVE-2020-35189 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-35189 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-35189?: CVE-2020-35189 affects Kong Kong Alpine Docker Image. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-35189?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-35189 published?: CVE-2020-35189 was published on 2020-12-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://github.com/koharin/koharin2/blob/main/CVE-2020-35189

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:kong:kong_alpine_docker_image:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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