CVE-2021-36368
CVE-2021-36368 is a low-severity vulnerability in Openbsd Openssh with a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.7. 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-287.
Key facts
- Severity: Low (CVSS 3.x base score 3.7)
- CVSS v2: 2.6
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (74th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-287
- Affected product: Openbsd Openssh
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
An issue was discovered in OpenSSH before 8.9. If a client is using public-key authentication with agent forwarding but without -oLogLevel=verbose, and an attacker has silently modified the server to support the None authentication option, then the user cannot determine whether FIDO authentication is going to confirm that the user wishes to connect to that server, or that the user wishes to allow that server to connect to a different server on the user's behalf. NOTE: the vendor's position is "this is not an authentication bypass, since nothing is being bypassed.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-36368?
- An issue was discovered in OpenSSH before 8.9. If a client is using public-key authentication with agent forwarding but without -oLogLevel=verbose, and an attacker has silently modified the server to support the None authentication option, then the user cannot determine whether FIDO authentication is going to confirm that the user wishes to connect to that server, or that the user wishes to allow that server to connect to a different server on the user's behalf. NOTE: the vendor's position is "this is not an authentication bypass, since nothing is being bypassed.
- How severe is CVE-2021-36368?
- CVE-2021-36368 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.7, rated low severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2021-36368 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2021-36368?
- CVE-2021-36368 primarily affects Openbsd Openssh. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2021-36368?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2021-36368 published?
- CVE-2021-36368 was published on 2022-03-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://bugzilla.mindrot.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3316
- https://docs.ssh-mitm.at/trivialauth.html
- https://github.com/openssh/openssh-portable/pull/258
- https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2021-36368
- https://www.openssh.com/security.html
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:a:openbsd:openssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Openbsd Openssh
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All CVEs affecting Openbsd Openssh →
Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
- CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
- CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
- CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
- CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
- CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…
Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →
Threat intelligence
Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:
- 152.32.208.73 (ipv4-addr)
- 152.32.217.163 (ipv4-addr)
- 152.32.204.21 (ipv4-addr)
- 152.32.145.49 (ipv4-addr)
- 104.218.164.192 (ipv4-addr)
- 165.154.162.193 (ipv4-addr)
- 165.154.11.210 (ipv4-addr)
- 152.32.207.42 (ipv4-addr)