# CVE-2023-44981: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-44981-authorization-bypass-through-user-controlled-key-vulnerability-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-10-11  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-44981 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2023-10-11

Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper

Technologies: [org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-zookeeper-zookeeper). Vendors: [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-44981 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2023-44981 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2023-44981?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 11 October 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=3.7.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-44981?** Yes. org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper (Maven): upgrade to 3.7.2 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-44981?** Check whether you run org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper (Maven) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper (Maven): upgrade to 3.7.2 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper to 3.7.2 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Affected products

- org.apache.zookeeper:zookeeper (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=3.7.2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2023-44981
- GHSA-7286-pgfv-vxvh

## Related threats

- [Apache ZooKeeper sensitive information disclosure in ZKConfig log output](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-24308-apache-zookeeper-sensitive-information-disclosure-in-zkconfig-log)
- [Apache ZooKeeper hostname verification bypass in ZKTrustManager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-24281-apache-zookeeper-hostname-verification-bypass-in-zktrustmanager)
- [Apache ZooKeeper: Insufficient Permission Check in AdminServer Snapshot/Restore Commands](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-58457-apache-zookeeper-insufficient-permission-check-in-adminserver)
- [Apache ZooKeeper: Authentication bypass with IP-based authentication in Admin Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-51504-apache-zookeeper-authentication-bypass-with-ip-based)
- [Apache ZooKeeper vulnerable to information disclosure in persistent watchers handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-23944-apache-zookeeper-vulnerable-to-information-disclosure-in)