CVE-2021-32701Network attack vector

Authorization bypass via stale scope cache

Published Jun 22, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Incorrect authorization in Ory Oathkeeper 0.38.0-beta.2 through 0.38.11-beta.1 allows remote attackers to access endpoints via cached introspection. The AuthenticatorOAuth2Introspection tokenFromCache path reuses a cached token result based on expiration without rechecking the endpoint's required scope. The flaw requires OAuth2 introspection caching to be enabled; caching is disabled by default, and exploitation grants access across mismatched scopes without changing data or service availability.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.63%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect authorization in Ory Oathkeeper 0.38.0-beta.2 through 0.38.11-beta.1 allows remote attackers to access endpoints via cached introspection. The AuthenticatorOAuth2Introspection tokenFromCache path reuses a cached token result based on expiration without rechecking the endpoint's required scope. The flaw requires OAuth2 introspection caching to be enabled; caching is disabled by default, and exploitation grants access across mismatched scopes without changing data or service availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32701
Published
Jun 22, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Ory
Product
Oathkeeper
Classifications
CWE-863, T1078
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 22, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 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=>=v0.38.0-beta.2, < v0.38.12-beta.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Ory · Oathkeeperversion=>=v0.38.0-beta.2, < v0.38.12-beta.1

Published CVSS scores

7.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1078Valid Accounts

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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