CVE-2026-23982 is an improper authorization vulnerability classified under CWE-863 in Apache Superset, an open-source data visualization and business intelligence platform maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability exists because Superset's permission enforcement mechanism for dataset creation and querying is flawed. Specifically, while Superset enforces permission checks to prevent unauthorized data queries when creating datasets, an authenticated attacker with permissions to write datasets and read charts can bypass these controls by modifying the SQL query of an existing dataset. This bypass allows the attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries against data sources they should not have access to, effectively circumventing data access restrictions. The vulnerability affects all versions of Apache Superset prior to 6.0.0. The issue does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely by any authenticated user with the specified permissions. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 7.1, reflecting a high severity due to the potential for unauthorized data exposure and the ease of exploitation. The Apache Software Foundation has addressed this vulnerability in version 6.0.0, which includes proper authorization checks preventing SQL query overwrites by unauthorized users. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date.

The impact of CVE-2026-23982 is significant for organizations using Apache Superset for data analytics and visualization. Exploitation allows attackers with limited privileges to bypass data access controls and retrieve unauthorized sensitive information from underlying data sources. This can lead to data breaches, exposure of confidential business intelligence, and potential compliance violations depending on the nature of the data accessed. Since Superset is often integrated with critical business data repositories, unauthorized queries can compromise data confidentiality and integrity. The vulnerability does not directly affect system availability but can undermine trust in data security and lead to reputational damage. Organizations relying on Superset for decision-making may face operational risks if attackers manipulate or access unauthorized data. The ease of exploitation by authenticated users with minimal privileges increases the threat, especially in environments with many users or insufficient privilege management.

To mitigate CVE-2026-23982, organizations should immediately upgrade Apache Superset to version 6.0.0 or later, where the authorization bypass flaw is fixed. Additionally, organizations should audit and restrict dataset write permissions and chart read permissions to only trusted users, minimizing the risk of exploitation. Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC) policies and regularly review user privileges to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. Monitor Superset logs for unusual dataset modifications or SQL query changes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Where possible, isolate Superset instances and limit network access to trusted users. Employ database-level access controls and query auditing to detect and prevent unauthorized data queries. Finally, maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any suspected data access incidents stemming from this vulnerability.