CVE-2020-17533

Name: CVE-2020-17533
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-12-29T12:15:12.4+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.1/10EPSS 3.65%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-17533 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.1/10 on the CVSS scale. Apache Accumulo versions 1.5.0 through 1.10.0 and version 2.0.0 do not properly check the return value of some policy enforcement functions before permitting an authenticated user to perform certain administrative operations. Specifically, the return values of the 'canFlush' and 'canPerformSystemActions' security functions are not checked in some instances, therefore allowing an authenticated user with insufficient permissions to perform the following actions: flushing a table, shutting down Accumulo or an individual tablet server, and setting or removing system-wide Accumulo configuration properties.. EPSS estimates a 3.65% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Apache Accumulo versions 1.5.0 through 1.10.0 and version 2.0.0 do not properly check the return value of some policy enforcement functions before permitting an authenticated user to perform certain administrative operations. Specifically, the return values of the 'canFlush' and 'canPerformSystemActions' security functions are not checked in some instances, therefore allowing an authenticated user with insufficient permissions to perform the following actions: flushing a table, shutting down Accumulo or an individual tablet server, and setting or removing system-wide Accumulo configuration properties.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.1/10

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

EPSS Probability

3.65%

88.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apache	Accumulo	>= 1.5.0, <= 1.10.0
Apache	Accumulo	2.0.0

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/12/29/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf8c1a787b6951d3dacb9ec58f0bf1633790c91f54ff10c6f8ff9d8ed%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3EVendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf8c1a787b6951d3dacb9ec58f0bf1633790c91f54ff10c6f8ff9d8ed%40%3Cuser.accumulo.apache.org%3EMailing List
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/12/29/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf8c1a787b6951d3dacb9ec58f0bf1633790c91f54ff10c6f8ff9d8ed%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3EVendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf8c1a787b6951d3dacb9ec58f0bf1633790c91f54ff10c6f8ff9d8ed%40%3Cuser.accumulo.apache.org%3EMailing List

Timeline

Published: Dec 29, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-17533?

How severe is CVE-2020-17533?

CVE-2020-17533 has a CVSS score of 8.1/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.65% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-17533?

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-2020-17533?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST