Apache Cassandra vulnerable to Code Injection due to unsafe configuration
When running Apache Cassandra with the following configuration: enable_user_defined_functions: true enable_scripted_user_defined_functions: true enable_user_defined_functions_threads: false it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host. The attacker would need to have enough permissions to create user defined functions in the cluster to be able to exploit this. Note that this configuration is documented as unsafe, and will continue to be considered unsafe after this CVE.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all | < 3.0.26, >= 3.11.0, < 3.11.12, >= 4.0.0, < 4.0.2 | 3.0.26, 3.11.12, 4.0.2 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44521
- https://github.com/apache/cassandra
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CASSANDRA-17352
- https://jfrog.com/blog/cve-2021-44521-exploiting-apache-cassandra-user-defined-functions-for-remote-code-execution
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/y4nb9s4co34j8hdfmrshyl09lokm7356
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220225-0001
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/02/11/4
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-732, CWE-94- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all- Disclosed
- 12.02.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 11:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-8ffc-79xg-29w8 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all
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
- 12
- First → latest
- 05.2021 04.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 5
- Medium 4
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2021: 1
- 2022: 3
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 4
- 2026: 3
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