CVE-2019-16097

Name: CVE-2019-16097
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-09-08T16:15:11.82+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5/10EPSS 23.11%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-16097 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.5/10 on the CVSS scale. core/api/user.go in Harbor 1.7.0 through 1.8.2 allows non-admin users to create admin accounts via the POST /api/users API, when Harbor is setup with DB as authentication backend and allow user to do self-registration. Fixed version: v1.7.6 v1.8.3. EPSS estimates a 23.11% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

core/api/user.go in Harbor 1.7.0 through 1.8.2 allows non-admin users to create admin accounts via the POST /api/users API, when Harbor is setup with DB as authentication backend and allow user to do self-registration. Fixed version: v1.7.6 v1.8.3. v.1.9.0. Workaround without applying the fix: configure Harbor to use non-DB authentication backend such as LDAP.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

23.11%

97.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-862

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.7.0	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.7.1	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.7.2	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.7.3	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.7.4	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.7.5	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.8.0	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.8.1	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.8.2	—
Linuxfoundation	Harbor	1.9.0	Rc1

References

http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0015.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/commit/b6db8a8a106259ec9a2c48be8a380cb3b37cf517Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/compare/v1.8.2...v1.9.0-rc1Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/releases/tag/v1.7.6Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/releases/tag/v1.8.3Third Party Advisory
https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/critical-vulnerability-in-harbor-enables-privilege-escalation-from-zero-to-admin-cve-2019-16097/Third Party Advisory
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0015.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/commit/b6db8a8a106259ec9a2c48be8a380cb3b37cf517Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/compare/v1.8.2...v1.9.0-rc1Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/releases/tag/v1.7.6Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/goharbor/harbor/releases/tag/v1.8.3Third Party Advisory
https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/critical-vulnerability-in-harbor-enables-privilege-escalation-from-zero-to-admin-cve-2019-16097/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 8, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-16097?

How severe is CVE-2019-16097?

CVE-2019-16097 has a CVSS score of 6.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 23.11% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16097?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2019-16097?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST