CVE-2017-12635
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitcouchdb - security update
Published Jan 21, 2018 · Updated Jul 8, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2017-12635, DEBIAN-CVE-2017-12636, DLA-1252-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-12635
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2017-12635 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Couchdb (Apache).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV since Oct 14, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Couchdb 1.7.0, Couchdb 1.2.0-5+deb7u1, Couchdb 2.1.1-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
100%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
2 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
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Description
Due to differences in the Erlang-based JSON parser and JavaScript-based JSON parser, it is possible in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to submit _users documents with duplicate keys for 'roles' used for access control within the database, including the special case '_admin' role, that denotes administrative users. In combination with CVE-2017-12636 (Remote Code Execution), this can be used to give non-admin users access to arbitrary shell commands on the server as the database system user. The JSON parser differences result in behaviour that if two 'roles' keys are available in the JSON, the second one will be used for authorising the document write, but the first 'roles' key is used for subsequent authorization for the newly created user. By design, users can not assign themselves roles. The vulnerability allows non-admin users to give themselves admin privileges.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Nov 17, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Oct 14, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
10 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| CouchdbApache | 2.0.0, 2.0.0-rc1, 2.0.0-rc2, 2.0.0-rc3, 2.0.0-rc4, >= 1.2.0 to 1.6.1 | 1.7.0 |
Patched Releases
Couchdb
1.7.0, 1.2.0-5+deb7u1, 2.1.1-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 21, 2018
Added to CIRCL KEV
Oct 14, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
Nov 17, 2023
Last updated
Jul 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management
References
- advisoryhttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6c405bf3f8358e6314076be9f48c89a2e0ddf00539906291ebdf0c67@%3Cdev.couchdb.apache.org%3E
- advisoryGLSA-201711-16
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-12635
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-12635
- advisoryhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/14/6
FAQ
Common Questions.
Due to differences in the Erlang-based JSON parser and JavaScript-based JSON parser, it is possible in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to submit _users documents with duplicate keys for 'roles' used for access control within the database, including the special case '_admin' role, that denotes administ…
Affected: Couchdb (Apache) versions 2.0.0, 2.0.0-rc1, 2.0.0-rc2, 2.0.0-rc3, 2.0.0-rc4, >= 1.2.0 to 1.6.1. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV since Oct 14, 2023.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Couchdb 1.7.0, Couchdb 1.2.0-5+deb7u1, Couchdb 2.1.1-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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