# CVE-2021-45232: security vulnerability on unauthorized access.

> Attackers can bypass authentication in Apache APISIX Dashboard by accessing APIs that incorrectly bypass the security middleware, leading to unauthorized access.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 27 Dec 2021
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** BIT-apisix_dashboard-2021-45232, GHSA-wcxq-f256-53xp

## What is CVE-2021-45232?

CVE-2021-45232 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Apache APISIX Dashboard, published on 27 Dec 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In Apache APISIX Dashboard before 2.10.1, the Manager API uses two frameworks and introduces framework `droplet` on the basis of framework `gin`, all APIs and authentication middleware are developed based on framework `droplet`, but some API directly use the interface of framework `gin` thus bypassing the authentication.

Weakness: CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-45232?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including apisix_dashboard. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `apisix_dashboard` | Bitnami | All versions | 2.10.1 |

Products: Apache Apisix Dashboard.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-45232?

Upgrade apisix_dashboard to 2.10.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-45232 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-45232 exists.

Public exploit code:

- https://github.com/wuppp/cve-2021-45232-exp (github_poc): https://github.com/wuppp/cve-2021-45232-exp
- CVE-2021-45232-RCE-多线程批量漏洞检测 (github_poc): https://github.com/GYLQ/CVE-2021-45232-RCE
- Apisix系列漏洞：未授权漏洞（CVE-2021-45232）、默认秘钥（CVE-2020-13945）批量探测。 (github_poc): https://github.com/YutuSec/Apisix_Crack
- https://github.com/LTiDi2000/CVE-2021-45232 (github_poc): https://github.com/LTiDi2000/CVE-2021-45232
- CVE-2021-45232-RCE (github_poc): https://github.com/fany0r/CVE-2021-45232-RCE
- 一键批量检测poc (github_poc): https://github.com/yggcwhat/CVE-2021-45232

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache APISIX Dashboard

- [CVE-2021-33190](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33190/): Bypass network access control (medium 5.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-45232 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-45232 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Apache APISIX Dashboard, published on 27 Dec 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-45232 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- apisix_dashboard (Bitnami): affected all versions; fixed in 2.10.1

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-2021-45232/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45232/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-45232
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45232
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-45232

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45232/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.