Remote Code Execution in spark-core
In all versions of Apache Spark, its standalone resource manager accepts code to execute on a 'master' host, that then runs that code on 'worker' hosts. The master itself does not, by design, execute user code. A specially-crafted request to the master can, however, cause the master to execute code too. Note that this does not affect standalone clusters with authentication enabled. While the master host typically has less outbound access to other resources than a worker, the execution of code on the master is nevertheless unexpected.
Mitigation
Enable authentication on any Spark standalone cluster that is not otherwise secured from unwanted access, for example by network-level restrictions. Use spark.authenticate and related security properties described at https://spark.apache.org/docs/latest/security.html
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.10 | all versions | no fix |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.11 | all versions | no fix |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-17190
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-phg2-9c5g-m4q7
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/341c3187f15cdb0d353261d2bfecf2324d56cb7db1339bfc7b30f6e5@%3Cdev.spark.apache.org%3E
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201903-21
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105976
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
-- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.10, org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.11- Disclosed
- 21.11.2018
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-phg2-9c5g-m4q7 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.11
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 10
- First → latest
- 09.2017 03.2026
- Without a fix
- 5
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 4
- Medium 5
Disclosures per year
- 2017: 1
- 2018: 4
- 2019: 2
- 2020: 0
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 1
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Remote Code Execution in spark-core this entry
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