CVE-2023-3518: HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise 1.16.0 when using JWT Auth for service mesh incorrectly allows/denies a

Routine

HIGH 7.4DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-3518 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.4) affecting consul. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise 1.16.0 when using JWT Auth for service mesh incorrectly allows/denies access regardless of service identities. Fixed in 1.16.1.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.4 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-266
Published	2023-08-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): HashiCorp Inc. · Vendor: hashicorp

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-09 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hashicorp consul DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.16.0 · 1.16.0 rc1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.16.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.16.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison consul sudo apt install consul=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.16.0> sudo apt-mark hold consul

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list consul sudo dnf downgrade consul-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.16.0> sudo dnf versionlock add consul

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-2023-3518?

consul: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-3518 being exploited?

CVE-2023-3518 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-2023-3518 affect?

CVE-2023-3518 affects consul. Severity is high (CVSS 7.4). HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise 1.16.0 when using JWT Auth for service mesh incorrectly allows/denies access regardless of service identities. Fixed in 1.16.1.

How urgent is CVE-2023-3518?

Priority 36/100. High severity

Software pages

Consul vulnerabilities

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References

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