CVE-2022-24288 : Security Advisory and Response

Apache Airflow, prior to version 2.2.4, contains a vulnerability in some example Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) that could lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) due to improper sanitization of user-provided parameters. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2022-24288 and has been categorized as high severity.

Understanding CVE-2022-24288

This section will provide an in-depth look into the nature of the CVE-2022-24288 vulnerability affecting Apache Airflow.

What is CVE-2022-24288?

CVE-2022-24288 refers to a Remote Code Execution vulnerability present in Apache Airflow version 2.2.4 and below. It arises from a lack of proper sanitation of user-input parameters within certain example DAGs, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via the web UI.

The Impact of CVE-2022-24288

The impact of this vulnerability is considered high. Exploitation could allow malicious actors to execute unauthorized commands within the context of the affected application, leading to potential data breaches, system compromise, and other security risks.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-24288

This section will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2022-24288 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the failure to properly sanitize user-provided parameters, which can result in OS Command Injection attacks through the web UI of Apache Airflow instance running versions earlier than 2.2.4.

Affected Systems and Versions

Apache Airflow versions prior to 2.2.4 are confirmed to be impacted, making installations with these versions potentially vulnerable to exploitation. It is crucial for users to upgrade to a patched version to mitigate this risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input sanitization, threat actors can craft malicious inputs that, when processed by the affected Apache Airflow instance, can lead to the execution of unauthorized OS commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline steps to mitigate the CVE-2022-24288 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2022-24288, users are advised to ensure that the

[core] load_examples

setting is configured to

False

in their Apache Airflow instances, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing potential OS Command Injections via example DAGs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Besides applying immediate workarounds, it is essential for organizations to follow robust security practices, including regular security assessments, secure coding guidelines, and user input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Users should prioritize updating their Apache Airflow installations to version 2.2.4 or newer, where the CVE-2022-24288 vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization mechanisms.