CVE-2020-37281
CVE-2020-37281 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. 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-1394.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
- CVSS v4: 9.2
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (59th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-1394
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Gravitee API Management through 4.12.22 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to impersonate any user by forging JWTs signed with the shipped default jwt.secret. Attackers knowing an existing user ID can sign an HS256 token with that subject and present it as a bearer token to the Management API, impersonating administrators to gain full platform control.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-37281?
- Gravitee API Management through 4.12.22 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to impersonate any user by forging JWTs signed with the shipped default jwt.secret. Attackers knowing an existing user ID can sign an HS256 token with that subject and present it as a bearer token to the Management API, impersonating administrators to gain full platform control.
- How severe is CVE-2020-37281?
- CVE-2020-37281 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-37281 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (59th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-37281?
- 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-2020-37281 published?
- CVE-2020-37281 was published on 2026-10-14 and last updated on 2026-10-15.
References
- https://github.com/gravitee-io/gravitee-api-management/blob/4.12.22/gravitee-apim-rest-api/gravitee-apim-rest-api-management/gravitee-apim-rest-api-management-security/src/main/java/io/gravitee/rest/api/management/security/config/BasicSecurityConfigurerAdapter.java#L157-L175
- https://github.com/gravitee-io/gravitee-api-management/blob/4.12.22/gravitee-apim-rest-api/gravitee-apim-rest-api-standalone/gravitee-apim-rest-api-standalone-distribution/src/main/resources/config/gravitee.yml#L636-L637
- https://github.com/gravitee-io/gravitee-api-management/blob/4.12.22/helm/values.yaml#L103
- https://github.com/gravitee-io/gravitee-docs/blob/master/pages/apim/3.x/how-tos/how-to-general-configuration.adoc
- https://github.com/gravitee-io/issues/issues/4204
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/gravitee-api-management-through-4.12.22-default-jwt-secret-authentication-bypass
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