CVE-2021-38294: Storm Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2021-38294 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')) affecting Storm libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves command injection leading to remote code execution in apache storm. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.2.1, 2.1.1, 1.2.4.
CVE-2021-38294 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.8
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:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2021-38294
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Storm 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.storm</groupId>
<artifactId>storm</artifactId>
<version>2.2.1</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.storm</groupId>
<artifactId>storm</artifactId>
<version>2.1.1</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.storm</groupId>
<artifactId>storm</artifactId>
<version>1.2.4</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.stormHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-38294, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.stormAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Storm in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.2.1), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.storm 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 Storm, 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-2021-38294 Affected Storm Versions
3 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.storm:storm
|
Maven |
≥ 2.2.0
< 2.2.1
|
2.2.1
|
|
org.apache.storm:storm
|
Maven |
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.1.1
|
2.1.1
|
|
org.apache.storm:storm
|
Maven |
≥ 1.0.0
< 1.2.4
|
1.2.4
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-38294?
Which Storm versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-38294?
Is storm affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-38294?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-38294?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-38294?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-6768-mcjc-8223",
"modified" : "2022-10-19T15:36:14Z",
"published" : "2021-10-27T18:51:22Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-38294" ],
"summary" : "Command injection leading to Remote Code Execution in Apache Storm",
"details" : "A Command Injection vulnerability exists in the getTopologyHistory service of the Apache Storm 2.x prior to 2.2.1 and Apache Storm 1.x prior to 1.2.4. A specially crafted thrift request to the Nimbus server allows Remote Code Execution (RCE) prior to authentication.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.storm:storm"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.2.1"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.storm:storm"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.1.1"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.storm:storm"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.2.4"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38294"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/storm"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r5fe881f6ca883908b7a0f005d35115af49f43beea7a8b0915e377859%40%3Cuser.storm.apache.org%3E"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2021/q4/44"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165019/Apache-Storm-Nimbus-2.2.0-Command-Execution.html"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74", "CWE-78" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2021-10-26T17:52:52Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2021-10-25T13:15:00Z"
}
}