CVE-2022-46421 in Airflow
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2022
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache Airflow Hive Provider.This issue affects Apache Airflow Hive Provider: before 5.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-46421 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Apache Airflow Hive Provider component of the Apache Software Foundation's ecosystem. This weakness stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 5.0.0 of the Apache Airflow Hive Provider, leaving organizations running older iterations exposed to potential exploitation.
Command injection vulnerabilities occur when an application incorporates untrusted data into command strings without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. In the context of Apache Airflow, this flaw manifests when the Hive Provider processes user inputs or configuration parameters that are subsequently used in shell commands or system calls. The improper neutralization of special command elements such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks allows attackers to append malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the affected Airflow service. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of security flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable full system compromise when attackers leverage the command injection to gain unauthorized access to underlying infrastructure. In Apache Airflow environments, this could result in unauthorized data access, modification of workflow processes, or complete system takeover depending on the privileges of the Airflow service account. The attack surface is particularly concerning in data processing environments where Airflow orchestrates critical business workflows, as attackers could manipulate or disrupt these processes to cause operational disruption or data breaches. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.003 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) techniques, emphasizing the exploitation methods available to threat actors.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Airflow Hive Provider version 5.0.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this release contains the necessary patches to properly sanitize command inputs. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and using parameterized command execution where possible can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments and monitoring of Airflow workflow execution logs can help detect anomalous command patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping enterprise software components updated, particularly in data processing and workflow automation platforms where command execution capabilities are fundamental to operations.