Apache Spark UI can allow impersonation if ACLs enabled
CISA confirms exploitation of this vulnerability in real attacks. Prioritise checking whether your application is affected. CISA KEV · CC0 1.0
The Apache Spark UI offers the possibility to enable ACLs via the configuration option spark.acls.enable. With an authentication filter, this checks whether a user has access permissions to view or modify the application. If ACLs are enabled, a code path in HttpSecurityFilter can allow someone to perform impersonation by providing an arbitrary user name. A malicious user might then be able to reach a permission check function that will ultimately build a Unix shell command based on their input, and execute it. This will result in arbitrary shell command execution as the user Spark is currently running as. This affects Apache Spark versions 3.0.3 and earlier, versions 3.1.1 to 3.1.2, and versions 3.2.0 to 3.2.1.
A previous version of this advisory incorrectly stated that version 3.1.3 was not vulnerable. Per GHSA-59hw-j9g6-mfg3, version 3.1.3 is vulnerable and vulnerable version ranges in this advisory have been changed to reflect the correct information.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12 | <= 3.0.3, >= 3.1.1, < 3.2.2 | 3.2.2 |
| Python (PyPI) | pyspark | < 3.1.3, >= 3.2.0, < 3.2.2 | 3.1.3, 3.2.2 |
References
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/p847l3kopoo5bjtmxrcwk21xp6tjxqlc
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-4x9r-j582-cgr8
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-33891
- https://github.com/apache/spark
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyspark/PYSEC-2022-236.yaml
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168309/Apache-Spark-Unauthenticated-Command-Injection.html
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-33891
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/05/02/1
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168309/Apache-Spark-Unauthenticated-Command-Injection.html
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/05/02/1
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-78- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven), Python (PyPI)
- Package
org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12, pyspark- Disclosed
- 18.07.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2022-236 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-4x9r-j582-cgr8 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12
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
- 2
- First → latest
- 07.2022 05.2023
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 1
Severity breakdown
- High 2
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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Apache Spark UI can allow impersonation if ACLs enabled this entry
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