CVE-2018-11804: Spark core 2.11 Improper Input Validation Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2018-11804 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Spark core 2.11 libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in apache spark. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.
CVE-2018-11804 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2018-11804
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Spark core 2.11 dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.spark</groupId>
<artifactId>spark-core_2.11</artifactId>
<version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.spark</groupId>
<artifactId>spark-core_2.10</artifactId>
<version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.sparkHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2018-11804, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.sparkAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Spark core 2.11 in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), 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-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In Spark core 2.11, 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
CVE-2018-11804 Affected Spark core 2.11 Versions
2 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.11
|
Maven |
≥ 1.3.0
≤ 2.1.3
|
|
|
org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.10
|
Maven |
≥ 1.3.0
≤ 2.1.3
|
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2018-11804?
Which Spark core 2.11 versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2018-11804?
Is spark-core_2.11 affected?
Is spark-core_2.10 affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-11804?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2018-11804?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2018-11804?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-62g2-m955-v383",
"modified" : "2025-12-11T20:37:38Z",
"published" : "2022-05-14T01:50:10Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2018-11804" ],
"summary" : "Improper Input Validation in Apache Spark",
"details" : "Spark's Apache Maven-based build includes a convenience script, 'build/mvn', that downloads and runs a zinc server to speed up compilation. It has been included in release branches since 1.3.x, up to and including master. This server will accept connections from external hosts by default. A specially-crafted request to the zinc server could cause it to reveal information in files readable to the developer account running the build. **Note that this issue does not affect end users of Spark, only developers building Spark from source code.**",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.11"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.3.0"
}, {
"last_affected" : "2.1.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.spark:spark-core_2.10"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.3.0"
}, {
"last_affected" : "2.1.3"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11804"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/spark"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/2b11aa4201e36f2ec8f728e722fe33758410f07784379cbefd0bda9d%40%3Cdev.spark.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/2b11aa4201e36f2ec8f728e722fe33758410f07784379cbefd0bda9d@%3Cdev.spark.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://spark.apache.org/security.html#CVE-2018-11804"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200227103903/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105756"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-06-29T23:07:22Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2018-10-24T18:29:00Z"
}
}