CVE-2021-38296 json
Apache Spark Key Negotiation Vulnerability
published 2022-03-10 4 y ago modified 2026-09-08 2 mo ago also BIT-spark-2021-38296 , EUVD-2022-0216 , GHSA-9rr6-jpg7-9jg6 , PYSEC-2022-186
- cvss
- 7.5
- version 3.1, NVD
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 1.8%
- EPSS 1.8% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 79%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
Apache Spark supports end-to-end encryption of RPC connections via "spark.authenticate" and "spark.network.crypto.enabled". In versions 3.1.2 and earlier, it uses a bespoke mutual authentication protocol that allows for full encryption key recovery. After an initial interactive attack, this would allow someone to decrypt plaintext traffic offline. Note that this does not affect security mechanisms controlled by "spark.authenticate.enableSaslEncryption", "spark.io.encryption.enabled", "spark.ssl", "spark.ui.strictTransportSecurity". Update to Apache Spark 3.1.3 or later
Patch / fix
- maven org.apache.spark:spark-core 3.1.3
- pypi pyspark 3.1.3
- bitnami spark 3.1.3
- apache spark 3.1.3
Exploit prediction
1.85% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 79% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub | 3.1 | 7.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| NVD | 3.1 | 7.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| NVD | 2.0 | 5.0 | AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N |
| OSV | 3.1 | 7.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
Affected packages
| ecosystem | package | affected | fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| maven | org.apache.spark:spark-core | <3.1.3 |
3.1.3 |
| pypi | pyspark | <3.1.3 |
3.1.3 |
| bitnami | spark | <3.1.3 |
3.1.3 |
Affected products
- Apache Software Foundation Apache Spark
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-294 Authentication Bypass by Capture-replay
References
-
oracle.com
/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html
web, patch, third-party-advisory, advisory
-
lists.apache.org
/thread/70x8fw2gx3g9ty7yk0f2f1dlpqml2smd
web, mailing-list, vendor-advisory, advisory
-
nvd.nist.gov
/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38296
advisory, web
-
github.com
/advisories/GHSA-9rr6-jpg7-9jg6
advisory
-
github.com
/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyspark/PYSEC-2022-186.yaml
web
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2021-38296
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-9rr6-jpg7-9jg6
- NVD CVE-2021-38296
- OSV BIT-spark-2021-38296
- OSV PYSEC-2022-186
Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.