CVE-2016-5393 in Hadoop
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Hadoop 2.6.x before 2.6.5 and 2.7.x before 2.7.3, a remote user who can authenticate with the HDFS NameNode can possibly run arbitrary commands with the same privileges as the HDFS service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5393 represents a critical remote command execution flaw within Apache Hadoop's HDFS NameNode component. This vulnerability affects versions 2.6.x prior to 2.6.5 and 2.7.x prior to 2.7.3, creating a significant security risk for distributed computing environments that rely on Hadoop for data processing and storage. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the NameNode with the same privileges as the HDFS service, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the HDFS NameNode's authentication and command processing mechanisms. When legitimate users authenticate with the NameNode, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the commands they submit, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where authenticated users can leverage their access to gain elevated system privileges. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the NameNode's command handling capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in distributed environments where the NameNode serves as a central coordination point for the entire Hadoop cluster.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple command execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Hadoop clusters. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the NameNode, potentially leading to data exfiltration, cluster disruption, or even lateral movement to other systems within the network. The attack vector requires only authentication access, making it particularly concerning for environments where authentication credentials might be compromised or where weak authentication mechanisms are in place. Organizations using affected Hadoop versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their distributed data processing systems, with potential consequences ranging from data loss to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5393 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of Apache Hadoop. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Hadoop 2.6.5 or 2.7.3, which contain the necessary security patches to address the command execution flaw. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities by restricting direct access to NameNode services. Security measures should include regular monitoring of authentication logs for suspicious activity and implementing robust authentication mechanisms such as Kerberos authentication to reduce the attack surface. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 and CWE-20 categories, representing weaknesses in command injection and input validation respectively, and should be addressed according to industry standards and frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure system administration and access control.