This issue affects Apache Spark versions before 3.4.4, 3.5.2 and 4.0.0.
This issue affects Apache Spark versions before 3.4.4, 3.5.2 and 4.0.0.
Apache Spark versions before 4.0.0, 3.5.2 and 3.4.4 use an insecure default network encryption cipher for RPC communication between nodes.
When spark.network.crypto.enabled is set to true (it is set to false by default), but spark.network.crypto.cipher is not explicitly configured, Spark defaults to AES in CTR mode (AES/CTR/NoPadding), which provides encryption without authentication.
This vulnerability allows a man-in-the-middle attacker to modify encrypted RPC traffic undetected by flipping bits in ciphertext, potentially compromising heartbeat messages or application data and affecting the integrity of Spark workflows.
To mitigate this issue, users should either configure spark.network.crypto.cipher to AES/GCM/NoPadding to enable authenticated encryption or
enable SSL encryption by setting spark.ssl.enabled to true, which provides stronger transport security.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-network-common_2.12 | < 3.4.4, >= 3.5.0, < 3.5.2 | 3.4.4, 3.5.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.spark:spark-network-common_2.13 | >= 3.5.0, < 3.5.2, < 3.4.4 | 3.5.2, 3.4.4 |
| Python (PyPI) | pyspark | < 3.4.4, >= 3.5.0, < 3.5.2 | 3.4.4, 3.5.2 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-55039
- https://github.com/apache/spark/commit/05ba74e5f8043601b7af530429ceaf828d7bb329
- https://github.com/apache/spark/commit/405b23b1aef889fad03bf4e3ced6d427dc9a43f4
- https://github.com/apache/spark/commit/f0563ef64c7f42df21b16ccaeb4cf1324ea720f9
- https://github.com/apache/spark
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyspark/PYSEC-2025-184.yaml
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/SPARK-47172
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/zrgyy9l85nm2c7vk36vr7bkyorg3w4qq
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/10/14/11
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-6p6v-m64v-jx8q
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-326- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven), Python (PyPI)
- Package
org.apache.spark:spark-network-common_2.12, org.apache.spark:spark-network-common_2.13, pyspark- Disclosed
- 15.10.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-6p6v-m64v-jx8q - CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2025-184 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.spark:spark-network-common_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.
This is the only known vulnerability of this package.
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