In Apache Spark versions prior to 3.4.0, applications using spark-submit can specify a 'proxy-user' to run as, limiting privileges. The application can execute code with the privileges of the submitti
In Apache Spark versions prior to 3.4.0, applications using spark-submit can specify a 'proxy-user' to run as, limiting privileges. The application can execute code with the privileges of the submitting user, however, by providing malicious configuration-related classes on the classpath. This affects architectures relying on proxy-user, for example those using Apache Livy to manage submitted applications.
Update to Apache Spark 3.4.0 or later, and ensure that spark.submit.proxyUser.allowCustomClasspathInClusterMode is set to its default of "false", and is not overridden by submitted applications.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.12 | < 3.3.3 | 3.3.3 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.13 | < 3.3.3 | 3.3.3 |
| Python (PyPI) | pyspark | < 3.4.0 | 3.4.0 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-22946
- https://github.com/apache/spark/pull/39474
- https://github.com/apache/spark/pull/41428
- https://github.com/apache/spark/commit/909da96e1471886a01a9e1def93630c4fd40e74a
- https://github.com/degant/spark/commit/bfba57724d2520e0fcaa7990f7257c21d11cd75a
- https://github.com/apache/spark
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyspark/PYSEC-2023-44.yaml
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/SPARK-41958
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/yllfl25xh5tbotjmg93zrq4bzwhqc0gv
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-329j-jfvr-rhr6
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-269- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven), Python (PyPI)
- Package
org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.12, org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.13, pyspark- Disclosed
- 17.04.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-329j-jfvr-rhr6 - CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2023-44 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: pyspark
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 12
- First → latest
- 09.2017 09.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 1
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 5
- Medium 5
Disclosures per year
- 2017: 1
- 2018: 1
- 2019: 2
- 2020: 1
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 3
- 2023: 2
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 1
-
In Apache Spark versions prior to 3.4.0, applications using spark-submit can specify a 'proxy-user' to run as, limiting privileges. The application can execute code with the privileges of the submitti this entry
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