CVE-2020-26214: In Alerta before version 8.1.0, users may be able to bypass LDAP authentication if they provide an empty passw

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-26214?

alerta: upgrade to 7.5.7, 8.1.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-26214 being exploited?

CVE-2020-26214 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-26214 affect?

CVE-2020-26214 affects alerta. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). In Alerta before version 8.1.0, users may be able to bypass LDAP authentication if they provide an empty password when Alerta server is configure to use LDAP as the authorization provider. Only deployments where LDAP servers are configured

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-26214?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-26214 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting alerta. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Alerta before version 8.1.0, users may be able to bypass LDAP authentication if they provide an empty password when Alerta server is configure to use LDAP as the authorization provider. Only deployments where LDAP servers are configured to allow unauthenticated authentication mechanism for anonymous authorization are affected. A fix has been implemented in version 8.1.0 that returns HTTP 401 Unauthorized response for any authentication attempt

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	65.9% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2020-11-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: alerta project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-11-06 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

alerta project alerta UPGRADE

Affected: < 7.5.7 · >= 8.0.0 and < 8.1.0

Fixed in: 7.5.7, 8.1.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy alerta || rpm -q alerta || alerta --version

2. UPGRADE to 7.5.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade alerta

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade alerta

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison alerta sudo apt install alerta=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold alerta

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list alerta sudo dnf downgrade alerta-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add alerta

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Nuclei scan template: Alerta < 8.1.0 - Authentication Bypass

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-26214?

alerta: upgrade to 7.5.7, 8.1.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-26214 being exploited?

CVE-2020-26214 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-26214 affect?

CVE-2020-26214 affects alerta. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). In Alerta before version 8.1.0, users may be able to bypass LDAP authentication if they provide an empty password when Alerta server is configure to use LDAP as the authorization provider. Only deployments where LDAP servers are configured

How urgent is CVE-2020-26214?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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