What is CVE-2021-43116?

CVE-2021-43116 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client (maven), affecting versions <= 2.0.3. No fixed version is listed yet. The application does not adequately verify the identity of a user, device, or process before granting access.

How severe is CVE-2021-43116?

CVE-2021-43116 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Which versions of com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client are affected by CVE-2021-43116?

com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client (maven) versions <= 2.0.3 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2021-43116?

No fixed version is listed for CVE-2021-43116 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.

Is CVE-2021-43116 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2021-43116 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

What actually determines whether CVE-2021-43116 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

CVE-2021-43116 in com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client

Q: How severe is CVE-2021-43116?

CVE-2021-43116 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Q: Which versions of com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client are affected by CVE-2021-43116?

com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client (maven) versions <= 2.0.3 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2021-43116?

No fixed version is listed for CVE-2021-43116 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.

Q: Is CVE-2021-43116 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2021-43116 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

Q: What actually determines whether CVE-2021-43116 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-43116?

No fixed version is listed yet. In the interim: Keep the dependency up to date. Ensure authentication checks are present and cannot be bypassed by manipulating request parameters.

Summary

Use of Hard-coded Credentials in Nacos

An Access Control vulnerability exists in Nacos 2.0.3 in the access prompt page; enter username and password, click on login to capture packets and then change the returned package, which lets a malicious user login.

Impact

The application does not adequately verify the identity of a user, device, or process before granting access. Typical impact: unauthorized access to functions or data reserved for authenticated parties.

CVE-2021-43116 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (High). The vector is network-reachable, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. No fixed version is listed yet, so configuration controls and monitoring matter more in the interim.

Affected versions

com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client (<= 2.0.3)

Security releases

Not available

Kodem intelligence

Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.

Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.

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Remediation advice

No fixed version is listed for CVE-2021-43116 yet.

In the interim: Keep the dependency up to date. Ensure authentication checks are present and cannot be bypassed by manipulating request parameters.

Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-43116? CVE-2021-43116 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client (maven), affecting versions <= 2.0.3. No fixed version is listed yet. The application does not adequately verify the identity of a user, device, or process before granting access.
How severe is CVE-2021-43116? CVE-2021-43116 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
Which versions of com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client are affected by CVE-2021-43116? com.alibaba.nacos:nacos-client (maven) versions <= 2.0.3 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2021-43116? No fixed version is listed for CVE-2021-43116 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.
Is CVE-2021-43116 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2021-43116 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
What actually determines whether CVE-2021-43116 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
How do I fix CVE-2021-43116? No fixed version is listed yet. In the interim: Keep the dependency up to date. Ensure authentication checks are present and cannot be bypassed by manipulating request parameters.