CVE-2022-26885 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apache DolphinScheduler, an open-source distributed workflow scheduling platform developed by the Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability arises when tasks within DolphinScheduler read configuration files, which may inadvertently expose sensitive information such as database passwords. Specifically, the flaw allows unauthorized users to access configuration files that contain credentials, leading to a confidentiality breach. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (7.5), this vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no direct effect on integrity or availability. The issue was addressed in Apache DolphinScheduler version 2.0.6 and later, and users are strongly advised to upgrade to these versions to mitigate the risk. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the published date (November 24, 2022), but the ease of exploitation and the sensitivity of the exposed data warrant immediate attention. The vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to gain access to database credentials, potentially enabling further attacks such as unauthorized data access, lateral movement, or privilege escalation within affected environments.

For European organizations using Apache DolphinScheduler, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of critical database credentials. Exposure of such credentials can lead to unauthorized access to backend databases, potentially resulting in data breaches involving personal data, intellectual property, or sensitive business information. Given the GDPR regulatory environment in Europe, any data breach involving personal data could lead to substantial legal and financial penalties. Additionally, organizations relying on DolphinScheduler for critical business workflows may face operational risks if attackers leverage stolen credentials to manipulate or exfiltrate data. The lack of required authentication and user interaction lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of exploitation especially in environments where DolphinScheduler instances are exposed to untrusted networks. This vulnerability could also undermine trust in automated workflow processes, impacting sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and public services that rely on secure data orchestration.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should upgrade Apache DolphinScheduler to version 2.0.6 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched. 2. Access controls: Restrict network access to DolphinScheduler management interfaces and task execution environments to trusted internal networks only, using firewalls and network segmentation. 3. Configuration management: Review and minimize the exposure of configuration files containing sensitive credentials. Use environment variables or secure vault solutions to manage secrets instead of static config files where possible. 4. Monitoring and auditing: Implement logging and monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to configuration files or database connections. 5. Credential rotation: After patching, rotate database passwords that may have been exposed to limit the window of exploitation. 6. Least privilege: Ensure that database accounts used by DolphinScheduler have the minimum necessary privileges to reduce impact if credentials are compromised. 7. Security testing: Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on workflow orchestration platforms to identify similar risks proactively.