Nexus Repository 3: Unverified Password Change
CVE-2026-17599 is a high-severity unverified password change vulnerability in Nexus Repository 3 from Sonatype, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.95.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Nexus Repository 3 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.49% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Nexus Repository 3 to 3.95.0 or a later version.
- Update Nexus Repository Manager to 3.95.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.sonatype.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonatype | Nexus Repository 3 | 3.17.0 up to, but not including, 3.95.0 | 3.95.0 |
| Sonatype | Nexus Repository Manager | 3.17.0 up to, but not including, 3.95.0 | 3.95.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 6.9 | Medium | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
Nexus Repository 3 contained an endpoint used to change the administrator account password during initial onboarding. This endpoint did not verify that onboarding was still in progress before allowing the password change, relying instead on the presence of a local onboarding artifact. As a result, an account holding the nexus:* permission could invoke the endpoint outside the intended onboarding flow to replace the administrator password, and existing sessions were not invalidated after the change.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unverified Password Change
When setting a new password for a user, the product does not require knowledge of the original password, or using another form of authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When prompting for a password change, force the user to provide the original password in addition to the new password.
- Do not use forgotten password functionality. But if you must, ensure that you are only providing information to the actual user, e.g. by using an email address or challenge question that the legitimate user already provided in the past; do not allow the current user to change this identity information until the correct password has been provided.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in Nexus Repository 3
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Unverified Password Change vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
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