CVE-2026-52691 in Griffin Hive Metastore Module
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2026
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Apache Griffin Hive Metastore Module.
This issue affects Apache Griffin Hive Metastore Module: all versions.
As this project is retired, we do not plan to release a version that fixes this issue. Users are recommended to find an alternative or restrict access to the instance to trusted users.
NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2026
The Apache Griffin Hive Metastore Module contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, which involves improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. This flaw allows attackers to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database by injecting malicious SQL code through user-supplied input fields. The root cause typically stems from insufficient validation or sanitization of data before it is incorporated into dynamic SQL statements. In this specific instance, the vulnerability exists within all versions of the Apache Griffin Hive Metastore Module, indicating a systemic failure in implementing secure coding practices for database interactions across the entire lifecycle of the software.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this SQL injection flaw can lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of critical records, and potentially full compromise of the underlying database server depending on its configuration privileges. Attackers could leverage techniques aligned with MITRE ATT&CK tactic T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) if they manage to escalate from SQL injection to command execution via specific database features such as xp_cmdshell in Microsoft SQL Server or similar constructs in other DBMS platforms. Even without remote code execution, the ability to read arbitrary data violates confidentiality requirements while altering records breaches integrity standards defined by industry frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-53.
It is crucial to note that this vulnerability affects products that are no longer supported by their maintainer. Apache Griffin has been retired, meaning there will be no official patches or security updates released to address this issue. Consequently, the responsibility for mitigation shifts entirely to the users and administrators who continue to operate these systems in production environments. The lack of vendor support implies that any new attack vectors discovered after the retirement date will also remain unpatched, increasing long-term risk exposure significantly compared to actively maintained software components.
To mitigate this high-severity vulnerability, organizations must implement compensating controls since direct remediation through patching is not possible due to the project's discontinuation. The primary recommendation is to restrict access to the Apache Griffin Hive Metastore instance exclusively to trusted and authorized users with strict role-based access control policies. Network-level restrictions such as firewalls should be configured to allow connections only from known, secure IP addresses or internal subnets where legitimate administrative activity originates. Additionally, deploying Web Application Firewalls can help detect and block common SQL injection patterns before they reach the application layer, providing an additional shield against automated exploitation attempts.
Further hardening measures include implementing strict input validation at every entry point to ensure that only expected data formats are accepted by the system. Parameterized queries or prepared statements should be utilized wherever possible within any custom integrations or wrappers around the metastore API to prevent direct injection of malicious payloads into SQL commands. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on authentication mechanisms and query construction logic can help identify other potential weaknesses in legacy systems that rely on this deprecated module. Ultimately, migrating away from Apache Griffin to a supported alternative solution remains the most effective long-term strategy for eliminating exposure to this class of vulnerabilities while ensuring compliance with modern data governance standards.