RCE in Apache Cassandra
CVE-2021-44521
When running Apache Cassandra with the following configuration: enable_user_defined_functions: true enable_scripted_user_defined_functions: true enable_user_defined_functions_threads: false it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host. The attacker would need to have enough permissions to create user defined functions in the cluster to be able to exploit this. Note that this configuration is documented as unsafe, and will continue to be considered unsafe after this CVE.
Vulnerability class: RCE (Remote Code Execution)
EPSS: 0.550 (99.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 9.1 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Apache Cassandra
- Apache Software Foundation Cassandra — versions 3.0.0, unspecified, 3.1
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security@apache.org (Mailing List, x_refsource_MISC, Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory)
- security@apache.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- security@apache.org (Exploit, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC, Mitigation)
- security@apache.org (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third Party Advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-44521?
- CVE-2021-44521 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache Cassandra, classified under Code Injection. CVSS score: 9.1/10. Published 2022-02-11.
- How severe is CVE-2021-44521?
- Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.1 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2021-44521 known to be exploited?
- 24 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.