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Vulnerability record · CVE-2020-17516 · published 3 February 2021

CVE-2020-17516: Apache cassandra authentication bypass by spoofing vulnerability

Apache · Cassandra

Apache Cassandra versions 2.1.0 to 2.1.22, 2.2.0 to 2.2.19, 3.0.0 to 3.0.23, and 3.11.0 to 3.11.9, when using 'dc' or 'rack' internode_encryption setting, allows both encrypted and unencrypted internode connections. A misconfigured node or a malicious user can use the unencrypted connection despite not being in the same rack or dc, and bypass mutual TLS requirement.

7.5 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 1.9% · top 20.8% CWE-290 · Authentication bypass by spoofing
7.5CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 4.3
1.9%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
10References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Apache Cassandra versions 2.1.0 to 2.1.22, 2.2.0 to 2.2.19, 3.0.0 to 3.0.23, and 3.11.0 to 3.11.9, when using 'dc' or 'rack' internode_encryption setting, allows both encrypted and unencrypted internode connections. A misconfigured node or a malicious user can use the unencrypted connection despite not being in the same rack or dc, and bypass mutual TLS requirement.

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

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/cassandra-user/202102.mbox/%3c6E4340A5-D7BE-4D33-9EC5-3B505A626D8D%40apache.org
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r81243a412a37a22211754936a13856af07cc68a93d728c52807486e9%40%3Ccommits.cassandra.ap
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rcb16f36cafa184dd159e94033f87d0fc274c4752d467f3a09f2ceae4%40%3Ccommits.cassandra.ap
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd84bec24907617bdb72f7ec907cd7437a0fd5a8886eb55aa84dd1eb8%40%3Ccommits.cassandra.ap
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210521-0002/ Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/cassandra-user/202102.mbox/%3c6E4340A5-D7BE-4D33-9EC5-3B505A626D8D%40apache.org
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r81243a412a37a22211754936a13856af07cc68a93d728c52807486e9%40%3Ccommits.cassandra.ap
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rcb16f36cafa184dd159e94033f87d0fc274c4752d467f3a09f2ceae4%40%3Ccommits.cassandra.ap
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd84bec24907617bdb72f7ec907cd7437a0fd5a8886eb55aa84dd1eb8%40%3Ccommits.cassandra.ap
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210521-0002/ Mailing ListThird Party Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2020-17516), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.