CVE-2020-7955: Incorrect Authorization in HashiCorp Consul

github.com/hashicorp/consul Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

28/07/2021
Yes i
Moderate
5.3

CVE-2020-7955: Incorrect Authorization in HashiCorp Consul. Affects github.com/hashicorp/consul versions >= 1.4.1, < 1.6.3. Fixed in 1.6.3. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2020-7955 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

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Background

HashiCorp Consul is a popular open-source service mesh solution that provides a distributed, highly available, and scalable platform for service discovery, configuration, and orchestration. It is written in Go and is widely used in cloud-native environments. Consul allows users to securely connect and communicate between services, ensuring reliable and efficient communication within a distributed system.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7955 in HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise versions 1.4.1 through 1.6.2 stems from the inconsistent enforcement of Access Control Lists (ACLs) across various API endpoints. This inconsistency could potentially lead to unintended information disclosure. Attackers with unauthorized access to certain API endpoints may be able to retrieve sensitive information, compromising the confidentiality of the system. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.3, indicating a moderate severity level.

How To Fix

Latest published version: v1.22.7 as of 22 Oct 2026

go get github.com/hashicorp/consul@v1.22.7

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

1.6.3

This is the first release that contains the fix.

go get github.com/hashicorp/consul@v1.6.3

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the recommended fix by upgrading to the latest version of HashiCorp Consul.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in HashiCorp Consul versions 1.4.1 through 1.6.2, identified as CVE-2020-7955, highlights the inconsistent enforcement of ACLs across API endpoints, potentially leading to unintended information disclosure. To mitigate this risk, it is essential to upgrade to HashiCorp Consul version 1.6.3 or later. This upgrade ensures uniform enforcement of ACLs, safeguarding the confidentiality of the system. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for github.com/hashicorp/consul →

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FAQ

HashiCorp Consul is an open-source service mesh solution that provides service discovery, configuration, and orchestration capabilities for distributed systems.

The vulnerability could potentially allow unauthorized access to certain API endpoints, leading to unintended information disclosure and compromising the confidentiality of the system.

The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a moderate severity level.

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to HashiCorp Consul version 1.6.3 or later.

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to apply the recommended fix by upgrading to the latest version of HashiCorp Consul.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for github.com/hashicorp/consul.

How To Fix

Latest published version: v1.22.7 as of 22 Oct 2026

go get github.com/hashicorp/consul@v1.22.7

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

1.6.3

This is the first release that contains the fix.

go get github.com/hashicorp/consul@v1.6.3

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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