# CVE-2020-1940: Improper Removal of Sensitive Information Before Storage or Transfer in Apache Jackrabbit Oak

> Attackers can disclose new passwords during authentication if optional password change features are enabled in Apache Jackrabbit Oak.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 28 Jan 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3h68-wvv6-8r5h

## What is CVE-2020-1940?

CVE-2020-1940 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Jackrabbit Oak, published on 28 Jan 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The optional initial password change and password expiration features present in Apache Jackrabbit Oak 1.2.0 to 1.22.0 are prone to a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability. The code mandates the changed password to be passed as an additional attribute to the credentials object but does not remove it upon processing during the first phase of the authentication. In combination with additional, independent authentication mechanisms, this may lead to the new password being disclosed.

Weakness: CWE-212 (Improper Removal of Sensitive Information Before Storage or Transfer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-1940?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core` | Maven | From 1.10.0 | 1.10.8 |
| `org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core` | Maven | From 1.10.0 | 1.10.8 |
| `org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core` | Maven | From 1.12.0 | 1.24.0 |
| `org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core` | Maven | From 1.12.0 | 1.24.0 |

Products: Apache Jackrabbit Oak.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-1940?

Upgrade org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core to a fixed version for your release line: 1.10.8 or 1.24.0.

## Is CVE-2020-1940 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-1940 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-1940 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-1940 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Jackrabbit Oak, published on 28 Jan 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-1940 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core (Maven): affected from 1.10.0; fixed in 1.10.8
- org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core (Maven): affected from 1.10.0; fixed in 1.10.8
- org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core (Maven): affected from 1.12.0; fixed in 1.24.0
- org.apache.jackrabbit:oak-core (Maven): affected from 1.12.0; fixed in 1.24.0

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-1940/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-1940/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-1940
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-1940
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1940

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-1940/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.