How severe is CVE-2020-5231?

CVE-2020-5231 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-5231 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-5231?

CVE-2020-5231 primarily affects Apereo Opencast. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-5231?

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

When was CVE-2020-5231 published?

CVE-2020-5231 was published on 2020-01-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-5231

CVE-2020-5231 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apereo Opencast with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.8. 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-276.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.8)
CVSS v2: 4.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (46th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-276
Affected product: Apereo Opencast
Published: 2020-01-30
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Opencast before 7.6 and 8.1, users with the role ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN can use the user-utils endpoint to create new users not including the role ROLE_ADMIN. ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN is a non-standard role in Opencast which is referenced neither in the documentation nor in any code (except for tests) but only in the security configuration. From the name – implying an admin for a specific course – users would never expect that this role allows user creation. This issue is fixed in 7.6 and 8.1 which both ship a new default security configuration.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-5231?: In Opencast before 7.6 and 8.1, users with the role ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN can use the user-utils endpoint to create new users not including the role ROLE_ADMIN. ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN is a non-standard role in Opencast which is referenced neither in the documentation nor in any code (except for tests) but only in the security configuration. From the name – implying an admin for a specific course – users would never expect that this role allows user creation. This issue is fixed in 7.6 and 8.1 which both ship a new default security configuration.
How severe is CVE-2020-5231?: CVE-2020-5231 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-5231 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-5231?: CVE-2020-5231 primarily affects Apereo Opencast. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-5231?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-5231 published?: CVE-2020-5231 was published on 2020-01-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:apereo:opencast:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:apereo:opencast:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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