CVE-2020-11989Network attack vector

Authentication bypass via inconsistent request-path decoding

Published Jun 22, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Authentication bypass in Apache Shiro before 1.5.3 allows remote attackers to access protected Spring dynamic-controller routes. WebUtils derives the application path from a request URI and decoded context path, allowing encoded path differences to evade the intended Shiro filter-chain match. Exposure requires a Shiro application using Spring dynamic controllers, and successful requests reach routes without the intended authentication check.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability24.44%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in Apache Shiro before 1.5.3 allows remote attackers to access protected Spring dynamic-controller routes. WebUtils derives the application path from a request URI and decoded context path, allowing encoded path differences to evade the intended Shiro filter-chain match. Exposure requires a Shiro application using Spring dynamic controllers, and successful requests reach routes without the intended authentication check.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-11989
Published
Jun 22, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Shiro
Classifications
CWE-287, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 22, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Apache Shiro 1.5.2 - 1.5.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Shiroversion=Apache Shiro 1.5.2 - 1.5.3

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-287Improper Authentication
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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