CVE-2020-17523
Criticalshiro: Authentication bypass through specially crafted HTTP request
Published Feb 2, 2021 · Updated Jul 8, 2026 · Also known as GHSA-v98j-7crc-wvrj, TR-21-0090
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-17523 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Shiro (Apache), org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring (maven), org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring-boot-starter (maven) and 1 more product.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 86% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Shiro 1.7.1, org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring 1.7.1, org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring-boot-starter 1.7.1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
86%
Higher than 99.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2020-17523 brief as a PDF
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Description
Apache Shiro before 1.7.1, when using Apache Shiro with Spring, a specially crafted HTTP request may cause an authentication bypass.
Affected Products
10 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| ShiroApache | >= before 1.7.1 | 1.7.1 |
| org.apache.shiro:shiro-springmaven | See advisory | 1.7.1 |
| org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring-boot-startermaven | See advisory | 1.7.1 |
| org.apache.shiro:shiro-webmaven | See advisory | 1.7.1 |
Patched Releases
Shiro
1.7.1
org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring
1.7.1
org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring-boot-starter
1.7.1
org.apache.shiro:shiro-web
1.7.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Feb 2, 2021
Last updated
Jul 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-287 Improper Authentication
- CWE-305 Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness
References
- advisoryGHSA advisory
- advisoryhttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rce5943430a6136d37a1f2fc201d245fe094e2727a0bc27e3b2d43a39%40%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E
- advisoryhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-17523
- advisoryhttps://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/SB2021020126
- advisoryUSOM advisory
FAQ
Common Questions.
Apache Shiro before 1.7.1, when using Apache Shiro with Spring, a specially crafted HTTP request may cause an authentication bypass.
Affected: Shiro (Apache) versions >= before 1.7.1; org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring (maven); org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring-boot-starter (maven), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Shiro 1.7.1, org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring 1.7.1, org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring-boot-starter 1.7.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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