CVE-2020-35187: The official telegraf docker images before 1.9.4-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2020-35187 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting telegraf. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The official telegraf docker images before 1.9.4-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root user. System using the telegraf docker container deployed by affected versions of the docker image may allow a remote attacker to achieve root access with a blank password.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-306
Published	2020-12-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: influxdata

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-12-17 01:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:13 UTCUpdated Record last modified

influxdata telegraf UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.13.0-alpine and < 1.9.4-alpine

Fixed in: 1.9.4-alpine

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.13.0-alpine

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.9.4-alpine (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade telegraf

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 0.13.0-alpine (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison telegraf sudo apt install telegraf=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.13.0-alpine> sudo apt-mark hold telegraf

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

dnf --showduplicates list telegraf sudo dnf downgrade telegraf-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.13.0-alpine> sudo dnf versionlock add telegraf

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.

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-2020-35187?

telegraf: upgrade to 1.9.4-alpine. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-35187 being exploited?

CVE-2020-35187 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-2020-35187 affect?

CVE-2020-35187 affects telegraf. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The official telegraf docker images before 1.9.4-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root user. System using the telegraf docker container deployed by affected versions of the docker image may allow a remote attacker to

How urgent is CVE-2020-35187?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Docker vulnerabilities

References

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