CVE-2020-17522Network attack vector

Unauthenticated cache manipulation via overbroad generated permissions

Published Jan 26, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper access control in Apache Traffic Control 3.0.0 through 3.1.0 and 4.0.0 through 4.1.0 allows remote attackers to alter CDN caches. ORT, later atstccfg, generates ip_allow.config rules that grant cache-write and removal permissions to unintended source addresses. Unauthenticated network access from an overbroad allowed address is enough to insert arbitrary cached content or remove cached objects.

CVSS severity5.8
Medium
EPSS probability3.93%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Improper access control in Apache Traffic Control 3.0.0 through 3.1.0 and 4.0.0 through 4.1.0 allows remote attackers to alter CDN caches. ORT, later atstccfg, generates ip_allow.config rules that grant cache-write and removal permissions to unintended source addresses. Unauthenticated network access from an overbroad allowed address is enough to insert arbitrary cached content or remove cached objects.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-17522
Published
Jan 26, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Traffic Control
Classifications
CWE-732, T1565.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 26, 2021CVE 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=Traffic Control 3.0.0 to 3.1.0, 4.0.0 to 4.1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Traffic Controlversion=Traffic Control 3.0.0 to 3.1.0, 4.0.0 to 4.1.0

Published CVSS scores

5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
5.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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-732Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
T1565.002Transmitted Data Manipulation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo