CVE-2020-13945

MEDIUM NUCLEI

Apache APISIX <1.6 - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-2020-13945. PoCs published by K3ysTr0K3R, YutuSec, including Metasploit module exploits/multi/http/apache_apisix_api_default_token_rce. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This is a functional exploit for CVE-2020-13945, targeting Apache APISIX versions 1.2 to 1.5. It plants a backdoor via the Admin API and executes a reverse shell payload.

Description

In Apache APISIX, the user enabled the Admin API and deleted the Admin API access IP restriction rules. Eventually, the default token is allowed to access APISIX management data. This affects versions 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5.

Exploits (3)

nomisec WORKING POC 10 stars
by K3ysTr0K3R · poc
https://github.com/K3ysTr0K3R/CVE-2020-13945-EXPLOIT

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2020-13945, targeting Apache APISIX versions 1.2 to 1.5. It plants a backdoor via the Admin API and executes a reverse shell payload.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache APISIX 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Admin API enabled · Default token not changed · No IP restrictions on Admin API
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 7 stars
by YutuSec · poc
https://github.com/YutuSec/Apisix_Crack

This repository contains a Go-based exploit for CVE-2021-45232, an unauthenticated API access vulnerability in Apache APISIX. The PoC checks for unauthenticated access to the admin API and demonstrates command execution via route manipulation.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache APISIX (versions affected by CVE-2021-45232)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the APISIX admin interface · Admin API endpoint exposed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/apache_apisix_api_default_token_rce.rb

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2022-24112 in Apache APISIX by leveraging a default admin API token to achieve remote code execution via LUA script injection. It also bypasses IP restrictions using batch requests.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache APISIX 2.x
Auth required
Prerequisites: Default admin API token (edd1c9f034335f136f87ad84b625c8f1) · Access to the admin API endpoint
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

Apache APISIX - Insufficiently Protected Credentials
MEDIUMby pdteam
Shodan: http.title:"apache apisix dashboard"
FOFA: title="apache apisix dashboard"

References (2)

Core 2

Scores

CVSS v3 6.5
EPSS 0.7298
EPSS Percentile 99.4%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Details

Status published
Products (1)
apache/apisix 1.2 - 1.5
Published Dec 07, 2020
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026