CVE-2022-40954 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability (CWE-78) found in the Apache Airflow Spark Provider component maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. Apache Airflow is a widely used open-source platform to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows, and the Spark Provider is an extension that integrates Apache Spark jobs within Airflow workflows. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. Specifically, this flaw enables an attacker to read arbitrary files within the task execution context without requiring write access to Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) files, which define workflows in Airflow. The vulnerability affects Spark Provider versions prior to 4.0.0 and any Apache Airflow versions prior to 2.3.0 when the Spark Provider is installed. Notably, Spark Provider 4.0.0 requires Airflow 2.3.0 or later, so upgrading both components is necessary to remediate the issue. Exploitation requires local privileges (low attack vector), low complexity, and privileges equivalent to those of a user with limited rights (PR:L), but no user interaction is needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by allowing unauthorized file reads but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date (November 2022). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate impact and limited attack surface. The vulnerability is particularly relevant in environments where Airflow is used to orchestrate Spark jobs, especially in data engineering and analytics pipelines where sensitive data may be processed or stored. The improper sanitization of OS command inputs in the Spark Provider can be leveraged by attackers with limited privileges to escalate their access to sensitive information within the execution environment.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-40954 can be significant in sectors relying heavily on data processing and analytics workflows, such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services. Unauthorized reading of arbitrary files could lead to exposure of sensitive business data, personally identifiable information (PII), or intellectual property, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Since Airflow is often deployed in cloud or hybrid environments, exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within internal networks, increasing the risk of further compromise. The vulnerability does not directly allow code execution beyond reading files, limiting its impact on system integrity and availability; however, the confidentiality breach alone can have serious compliance and reputational consequences. Organizations with complex data pipelines using Apache Airflow and Spark Provider are at higher risk, especially if they have not upgraded to Airflow 2.3.0+ with Spark Provider 4.0.0 or later. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is not critical, it should be addressed promptly to prevent potential data leaks and comply with European cybersecurity standards.

1. Upgrade Apache Airflow to version 2.3.0 or later and ensure the Spark Provider is upgraded to version 4.0.0 or newer, as these versions contain the fix for this vulnerability. 2. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, restrict access to Airflow task execution environments to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of exploitation by limiting local privilege access. 3. Implement strict file system permissions and isolation for Airflow task execution contexts to prevent unauthorized file access even if command injection attempts occur. 4. Monitor Airflow logs and system logs for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized file access attempts, enabling early detection of exploitation attempts. 5. Employ network segmentation and zero-trust principles around Airflow infrastructure to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on Airflow deployments to identify and remediate similar injection vulnerabilities. 7. Educate development and operations teams on secure coding and configuration practices for Airflow DAGs and providers to prevent introduction of similar vulnerabilities in the future.