CVE-2017-12635
High PUBLISHEDDue to differences in the Erlang-based JSON parser and JavaScript-based JSON parser, it is possible in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before...
Not yet in CISA KEV
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Due to differences in the Erlang-based JSON parser and JavaScript-based JSON parser, it is possible in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to submit _users documents with duplicate keys for 'roles' used for access control within the database, including the special case '_admin' role, that denotes administrative users. In combination with CVE-2017-12636 (Remote Code Execution), this can be used to give non-admin users access to arbitrary shell commands on the server as the database system user. The JSON parser differences result in behaviour that if two 'roles' keys are available in the JSON, the second one will be used for authorising the document write, but the first 'roles' key is used for subsequent authorization for the newly created user. By design, users can not assign themselves roles. The vulnerability allows non-admin users to give themselves admin privileges.
- CVE Published
- Nov 14, 2017
- Exploitation Reported
- Apr 24, 2025
- CVSS
- 9.8 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache CouchDB
|
1.2.0 to 1.6.1 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache CouchDB
|
2.0.0 to 2.1.0 |
Affected |
CVE References
- GLSA-201711-16 security.gentoo.org · Vendor Advisory https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201711-16
- 44498 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44498/
- 45019 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45019/
- 101868 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101868
- [dev] 20171114 Apache CouchDB CVE-2017-12635 and CVE-2017-12636 lists.apache.org · Mailing List https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6c405bf3f8358e6314076be9f48c89a2...
Show 2 more references
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180121 [SECURITY] [DLA 1252-1] couchdb security update lists.debian.org · Mailing List https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/01/msg00026.html
- support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display support.hpe.com · CVE Record https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| The Shadowserver First | 2025-04-25 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2017/CVE-2017-12635.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/apache_couchdb_cmd_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2025-04-24 00:00:00 UTC · The Shadowserver
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2019-11-07 20:02:31 UTC · GitHub
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/apache_couchdb_cmd_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2017/CVE-2017-12635.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2020-06-19 20:48:28 UTC · 1 stars
github · Created 2019-11-07 20:02:31 UTC · 10 stars
Case study and POC of CVE-2017-12635: Apache CouchDB 1.7.0 / 2.x < 2.1.1 - Remote Privilege Escalation
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
20:02 UTC over 6 years ago20:02 UTC · over 6 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
20:00 UTC over 8 years ago20:00 UTC · over 8 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC almost 9 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 9 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2017-12635
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2017-12635",
"title": "Due to differences in the Erlang-based JSON parser and JavaScript-based JSON ...",
"affected_vendor": "Apache Software Foundation",
"affected_product": "Apache CouchDB",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 9.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}