CVE-2018-11766 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2018-11766 was published on November 27, 2018, by Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability affects Apache Hadoop versions 2.7.4 to 2.7.6, potentially allowing unauthorized commands execution.

Understanding CVE-2018-11766

CVE-2018-11766 in Apache Hadoop 2.7.4 to 2.7.6 involves incomplete security patch implementation, leading to a privilege escalation issue.

What is CVE-2018-11766?

Between versions 2.7.4 and 2.7.6 of Apache Hadoop, the security patch for CVE-2016-6811 was not fully implemented. This means that if a user with escalated privileges to the yarn user role can potentially execute unauthorized commands as the root user.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11766

The vulnerability allows a user to escalate privileges to the yarn user role and potentially run arbitrary commands as the root user, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11766

CVE-2018-11766 involves a specific vulnerability in Apache Hadoop versions 2.7.4 to 2.7.6.

Vulnerability Description

The security fix for CVE-2016-6811 in Apache Hadoop 2.7.4 to 2.7.6 is incomplete, enabling a user with yarn user privileges to execute unauthorized commands as the root user.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Hadoop
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Versions Affected: Apache Hadoop 2.7.4 to 2.7.6

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows a user to escalate privileges to the yarn user role, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution as the root user.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2018-11766.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Apache Software Foundation promptly.
Monitor and restrict user privileges to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Apache Hadoop to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and least privilege principles to limit user capabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and advisories from Apache Software Foundation.
Regularly check for patches and apply them to ensure system security.