Apache Knox allows impersonation of users
For versions of Apache Knox from 0.2.0 to 0.11.0 - an authenticated user may use a specially crafted URL to impersonate another user while accessing WebHDFS through Apache Knox. This may result in escalated privileges and unauthorized data access. While this activity is audit logged and can be easily associated with the authenticated user, this is still a serious security issue. All users are recommended to upgrade to the Apache Knox 0.12.0 release.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.knox:gateway-provider-identity-assertion-common | >= 0.2.0, < 0.12.0 | 0.12.0 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5646
- https://github.com/apache/knox/commit/998dcd257dc839c9651485760da4d614c16e2ca2
- https://github.com/apache/knox
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rcd6bcbcc08840d4e4bea661efe9a5ef8f6126ebbbc5bc266701d8f48@%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
- http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/knox-user/201705.mbox/%3CCACRbFyjtT7QQGHUzTRdbJoySbJb7tt4BDk5-r-VRn0GB0Kgvag%40mail.gmail.com%3E
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-346- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.knox:gateway-provider-identity-assertion-common- Disclosed
- 13.05.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-g3fc-8jv4-qmmv - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.knox:gateway-provider-identity-assertion-common
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
This is the only known vulnerability of this package.
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