CVE-2022-33891: Spark parent 2.12 Apache Spark UI Can Allow Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-4x9r-j582-cgr8
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CVSS 8.8
CWE-78
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-33891 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.8) apache spark ui can allow vulnerability (CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')) affecting Spark parent 2.12 libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache spark ui can allow impersonation if acls enabled. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.2.2, 3.1.3.

CVE-2022-33891 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-33891
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4x9r-j582-cgr8
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.8
CWE Classification CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Affected Product Spark parent 2.12
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2022-33891

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Spark parent 2.12 dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12 fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.spark</groupId>
    <artifactId>spark-parent_2.12</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12 fixed: 3.2.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.spark</groupId>
    <artifactId>spark-parent_2.12</artifactId>
    <version>3.2.2</version>
</dependency>
pyspark fixed: 3.1.3 
pip install pyspark>=3.1.3
pyspark fixed: 3.2.2 
pip install pyspark>=3.2.2
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.spark

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2022-33891, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.spark

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Spark parent 2.12 in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.2.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.spark command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an os command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended os command when it is sent to a downstream component. In Spark parent 2.12, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

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](https://github.com/advisories/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.

CVE-2022-33891 Affected Spark parent 2.12 Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.2.23.1.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12
maven/org.apache.spark/spark-parent_2.12
Maven
≤ 3.0.3
org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12
maven/org.apache.spark/spark-parent_2.12
Maven
≥ 3.1.1
< 3.2.2
3.2.2
pyspark
pypi/pyspark
PyPI
< 3.1.3
3.1.3
pyspark
pypi/pyspark
PyPI
≥ 3.2.0
< 3.2.2
3.2.2

References

NVD — CVE-2022-33891 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-33891
Spark parent 2.12 Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/spark
Spark parent 2.12 Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyspark/PYSEC-2022-236.yaml
lists.apache.org/thread/p847l3kopoo5... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/p847l3kopoo5bjtmxrcwk21xp6tjxqlc
Spark parent 2.12 Security Information SECURITY
https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168309/Apache-Spark-Unauthenticated-Command-Injection.html
www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vul... WEB
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-33891
Spark parent 2.12 Security Information SECURITY
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/05/02/1
Spark parent 2.12 Security Information SECURITY
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168309/Apache-Spark-Unauthenticated-Command-Injection.html
Spark parent 2.12 Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/05/02/1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-33891?
CVE-2022-33891 is a security vulnerability in Spark parent 2.12 involving Apache Spark UI can allow impersonation if ACLs enabled under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection').
Which Spark parent 2.12 versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.2.2, 3.1.3 across affected packages: org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12, pyspark.
What version fixes CVE-2022-33891?
Upgrading to 3.2.2, 3.1.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is spark-parent_2.12 affected?
Yes, org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12 is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release, 3.2.2. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release, 3.2.2 or later.
Is pyspark affected?
Yes, pyspark is affected in releases prior to 3.1.3, 3.2.2. Upgrade your dependency to 3.1.3, 3.2.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-33891?
CVE-2022-33891 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-33891?
CVE-2022-33891 is classified under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2022-33891?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.spark'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-4x9r-j582-cgr8",
  "modified" : "2026-06-09T12:58:09Z",
  "published" : "2022-07-19T00:00:29Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-33891" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Spark UI can allow impersonation if ACLs enabled",
  "details" : "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.\n\nA previous version of this advisory incorrectly stated that version 3.1.3 was not vulnerable. Per [GHSA-59hw-j9g6-mfg3](https://github.com/advisories/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.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:A"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "3.0.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.spark:spark-parent_2.12"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.1.1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.2.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "PyPI",
      "name" : "pyspark"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.1.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "PyPI",
      "name" : "pyspark"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.2.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-33891"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/spark"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyspark/PYSEC-2022-236.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/p847l3kopoo5bjtmxrcwk21xp6tjxqlc"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168309/Apache-Spark-Unauthenticated-Command-Injection.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-33891"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/05/02/1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168309/Apache-Spark-Unauthenticated-Command-Injection.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/05/02/1"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-78" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-21T21:40:46Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-07-18T07:15:00Z"
  }
}