CVE-2023-28706 – This CVE allows remote code execution through i... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-28706?

CVE-2023-28706 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This CVE allows remote code execution through improper input validation in Apache Airflow Hive Provider. Attackers can inject malicious code that gets executed in the context of the Airflow service. All systems running Apache Airflow with Hive Provider before version 6.0.0 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE allows remote code execution through improper input validation in Apache Airflow Hive Provider. Attackers can inject malicious code that gets executed in the context of the Airflow service. All systems running Apache Airflow with Hive Provider before version 6.0.0 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Apache Airflow Hive Provider

Versions: All versions before 6.0.0

Operating Systems: All operating systems running Apache Airflow

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects any Airflow installation using the Hive Provider component. The vulnerability exists in the code generation functionality.

📦 What is this software?

Airflow Hive Provider by Apache

View all CVEs affecting Airflow Hive Provider →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, pivot to other systems, and potentially establish persistent access.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized data access, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within the Airflow environment.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation, minimal privileges, and input validation controls in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Directly exploitable if Airflow is exposed to the internet without proper authentication or input validation.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Even internal systems are vulnerable to authenticated users or attackers who gain initial access to the network.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires access to Airflow interface or API. The vulnerability is in code generation logic that doesn't properly validate user input.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 6.0.0

Vendor Advisory: https://lists.apache.org/thread/dl20xxd51xvlx0zzc0wzgxfjwgtbbxo3

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Apache Airflow Hive Provider to version 6.0.0 or later using pip: 'pip install --upgrade apache-airflow-providers-apache-hive>=6.0.0' 2. Restart all Airflow services 3. Verify the update was successful

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Hive Provider

all

Temporarily disable the vulnerable Hive Provider component if not essential

Remove or comment out Hive Provider configuration in Airflow settings

Network Segmentation

all

Restrict access to Airflow services to only trusted networks

Configure firewall rules to limit Airflow port access

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-provided data
Apply network segmentation and restrict Airflow access to minimal necessary users

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check installed Hive Provider version: 'pip show apache-airflow-providers-apache-hive' and verify if version is below 6.0.0

Check Version:

pip show apache-airflow-providers-apache-hive | grep Version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm version is 6.0.0 or higher: 'pip show apache-airflow-providers-apache-hive | grep Version'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual Hive query patterns
Unexpected process execution from Airflow context
Error logs containing code injection attempts

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from Airflow servers
Suspicious payloads in Airflow API requests

SIEM Query:

source="airflow" AND ("hive" OR "code injection" OR "unexpected execution")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-28706

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-94

Published: April 7, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/07/2 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/30212 Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread/dl20xxd51xvlx0zzc0wzgxfjwgtbbxo3 Mailing List,Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/07/2 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/30212 Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread/dl20xxd51xvlx0zzc0wzgxfjwgtbbxo3 Mailing List,Vendor Advisory

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