CVE-2022-33891
RCE in Apache Spark ≤ 3.0.3
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2022-33891 is a high-severity OS Command Injection (CWE-78) vulnerability in Apache Spark. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059); ranked in the top 0.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
The vulnerability is an OS command injection flaw (CWE-78) in Apache Spark's web UI authentication and authorization logic. When spark.acls.enable is set to true alongside an authentication filter, the HttpSecurityFilter code path accepts an arbitrary username supplied by the client. This value reaches a permission-checking routine that constructs and executes a Unix shell command without proper sanitization, allowing the supplied input to be interpreted as part of the command line. The issue affects Spark versions 3.0.3 and earlier, 3.1.1–3.1.2, and 3.2.0–3.2.1.
An attacker who can reach the Spark UI (typically over the network) can supply a crafted username that bypasses the intended ACL checks. Successful exploitation grants the ability to run arbitrary operating-system commands with the privileges of the user account under which the Spark process is executing, resulting in full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the host.
Public references, including an Apache security announcement thread and oss-security postings, document the flaw and point to updated Spark releases that correct the input handling in HttpSecurityFilter. Separate exploit artifacts published on Packet Storm demonstrate unauthenticated command injection against the same code path.
The CVE carries a CVSS score of 8.8 and maintains a very high EPSS score (current 0.9351, peak 0.9745), indicating sustained exploitation interest after disclosure.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-0217
Vulnerability Data
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…
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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.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 07 March 2023
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V1.2.5V1.2.8V15.2.5
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
PR.PS-06's SDLC practices directly require secure coding and input handling that blocks command-injection defects, yet the single broad outcome leaves many specific neutralization vectors and verification gaps unaddressed.
Routine patching/maintenance can remediate known command-injection CVEs in dependencies (partial forward) but does nothing to stop developers from introducing improper neutralization in custom code (none reverse).
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing and code review target insecure use of operating-system command interfaces, catching command-injection flaws introduced during development.