CVE-2022-45470 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Apache Hama version 1.7.1, an open-source distributed computing framework developed by the Apache Software Foundation. The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation (CWE-20), which allows attackers to exploit path traversal and cross-site scripting (XSS) issues. Specifically, the lack of sufficient validation on user-supplied inputs enables malicious actors to craft requests that can access unauthorized files on the server via path traversal or inject malicious scripts through XSS vectors. These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on the system, compromising confidentiality. Notably, Apache Hama has reached its end-of-life (EOL) status, meaning no further patches or fixes are expected from the vendor, leaving systems running this software permanently exposed unless mitigated by other means. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects a high severity, with an attack vector that is network-based (AV:N), requiring no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and impacting confidentiality (C:H) without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially in environments where Apache Hama is still operational and exposed to untrusted networks.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for entities relying on Apache Hama for distributed computing tasks in data analytics, scientific research, or large-scale data processing. The primary risk is unauthorized information disclosure due to path traversal, which could expose sensitive internal files, configuration data, or intellectual property. Additionally, XSS vulnerabilities could be leveraged to execute malicious scripts in the context of administrative or user interfaces, potentially leading to session hijacking or further exploitation. Given that Apache Hama is EOL, organizations cannot rely on vendor patches, increasing the risk exposure over time. This is especially critical for sectors with stringent data protection regulations such as GDPR, where unauthorized data disclosure can lead to legal penalties and reputational damage. The vulnerability’s ease of exploitation over the network without authentication further elevates the threat, making any exposed Apache Hama instances attractive targets for attackers. The lack of integrity and availability impact reduces the risk of system manipulation or denial of service but does not diminish the confidentiality concerns. Overall, organizations using Apache Hama must consider the risk of data breaches and potential compliance violations.

Since Apache Hama is no longer maintained and no official patches are available, European organizations should prioritize the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Immediate identification and inventory of all Apache Hama instances, especially version 1.7.1, within their network environments. 2) Isolate or segment these systems from untrusted networks using network access controls or firewalls to limit exposure to external attackers. 3) Implement strict input validation and sanitization at the application or proxy level, if feasible, to filter out malicious path traversal sequences and script injections before they reach Apache Hama. 4) Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules targeting known path traversal and XSS attack patterns relevant to Apache Hama. 5) Plan and execute migration away from Apache Hama to actively maintained distributed computing frameworks that receive regular security updates. 6) Monitor logs and network traffic for suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual file access patterns or script injections. 7) Educate internal teams about the risks associated with running EOL software and enforce policies to avoid deploying unsupported products in production environments. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on compensating controls and strategic migration planning given the lack of vendor support.