Appsecure logo

CVE-2021-37580: Critical Vulnerability in Apache ShenYu

A critical vulnerability has been identified in Apache ShenYu, allowing attackers to bypass authentication. Organizations using affected versions must patch immediately to mitigate risks.

CRITICALPublic ExploitCVSS 9.8 · Published November 16, 2021

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

A flaw was found in Apache ShenYu Admin. The incorrect use of JWT in ShenyuAdminBootstrap allows an attacker to bypass authentication. This issue affects Apache ShenYu versions 2.3.0 and 2.4.0.

The vulnerability has been classified as critical with a CVSS score of 9.8. This indicates a high risk to organizations that utilize the affected versions of Apache ShenYu. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access, potentially compromising sensitive data.

Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication mechanisms, leading to unauthorized access to administrative functions. Given the critical severity of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

The vulnerability was published on November 16, 2021, and has been modified since its initial disclosure. Organizations utilizing the affected versions need to address this issue promptly to mitigate risks.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability description provided by Apache states that the incorrect use of JWT in ShenyuAdminBootstrap allows an attacker to bypass authentication. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates critical severity, reflecting the potential for significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The affected products are Apache ShenYu versions 2.3.0 and 2.4.0. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication. Organizations must ensure they are not running these vulnerable versions.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of the vulnerability is an improper implementation of JSON Web Tokens (JWT) within the ShenyuAdminBootstrap component. This flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication without requiring any privileges or user interaction.

The attack vector is network-based, meaning that exploitation can occur remotely without physical access to the system. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required for successful exploitation. This means that attackers can exploit the vulnerability easily, increasing the risk to organizations.

The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions and data.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and administrative functions, which can lead to data breaches and potential regulatory repercussions. The vulnerability has a high blast radius, affecting multiple versions of Apache ShenYu. Organizations using these affected versions must prioritize remediation efforts.

The urgency for organizations is critical, given the CVSS score and the high probability of exploitation as indicated by the EPSS score of 0.9399, which places it in the 99.89th percentile. Immediate action is required to patch the vulnerability.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions of Apache ShenYu include 2.3.0 and 2.4.0. Organizations using these versions should upgrade to the latest version that contains the security fix.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should patch their installations of Apache ShenYu to the latest version as soon as possible. For those unable to apply the patch immediately, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to affected components.

For more guidance on securing your applications, organizations can refer to the application security assessment services offered.

Detection Guidance

Monitoring logs for any unusual authentication attempts and user activities can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Look for anomalies in access logs and system changes that could indicate unauthorized access.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

This vulnerability reflects ongoing challenges in authentication mechanisms. Security teams should assess their current systems for similar weaknesses. Engaging in penetration testing can help identify vulnerabilities proactively.

The pattern of vulnerabilities related to improper authentication highlights the need for robust security practices. Organizations should prioritize security training and awareness among developers to foster secure coding practices.

For further reading on security practices, explore our resources on penetration testing methodology and related topics.

Considering the evolving landscape of threats, organizations should stay updated on security trends to adapt their defenses accordingly.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.