Apache CloudStack: Improper Authorization
CVE-2026-66722 is a high-severity improper authorization vulnerability in Apache CloudStack from Apache, 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. Affected Apache CloudStack versions: 4.15.0.0 through 4.20.3.0; 4.21.0.0 through 4.22.1.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.62% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 50% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Cloudstack to 4.20.3.1 or 4.22.1.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on lists.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache CloudStack | 4.15.0.0 through 4.20.3.0; 4.21.0.0 through 4.22.1.0 | Not stated |
| Apache | Cloudstack | 4.15.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.20.3.1; 4.21.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.22.1.1 | 4.20.3.1, 4.22.1.1 |
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 CISA (ADP).
Official description
Improper authorization for CRUD operations on Project Roles and Project Role permissions for domain admins in CloudStack. A Domain Admin can create, update, delete, and list project roles and project role permissions for projects in any domain, not just their own. The check only confirms the caller is a Domain Admin, without verifying whether the target project belongs to their domain or subdomain. This allows a malicious Domain Admin to tamper with project roles and permissions across unrelated domains. This issue affects Apache CloudStack: from 4.15.0.0 through 4.20.3.0 and from 4.21.0.0 through 4.22.1.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.20.3.1 or 4.22.1.1 or later, which fixes the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authorization
The product does not perform or incorrectly performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Divide the product into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully mapping roles with data and functionality. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce the roles at the appropriate boundaries. Note that this approach may not protect against horizontal authorization, i.e., it will not protect a user from attacking others with the same role.
- Ensure that you perform access control checks related to your business logic. These checks may be different than the access control checks that you apply to more generic resources such as files, connections, processes, memory, and database records. For example, a database may restrict access for medical records to a specific database user, but each record might only be intended to be accessible to the patient and the patient's doctor.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using authorization frameworks such as the JAAS Authorization Framework and the OWASP ESAPI Access Control feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Apache CloudStack
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Authorization vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
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