CISA Adds 3-Year-Old Apache Flink Vulnerability to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has recently included a three-year-old vulnerability in Apache Flink, identified as CVE-2020-17519, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. This vulnerability entails an improper access control flaw that permits unauthorized parties to access any file on the JobManager's local filesystem via the REST interface. Federal agencies have been cautioned and instructed to either implement the patch or discontinue the use of this vulnerable software by June 13. Although CISA has not disclosed specifics regarding the threat actors or victims, it is imperative for private sector organizations to heed similar precautions.
Key Takeaways
- CISA incorporates three-year-old Apache Flink vulnerability (CVE-2020-17519) into its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Analysis
The addition of the three-year-old Apache Flink vulnerability (CVE-2020-17519) to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog emphasizes the significance of addressing security issues associated with legacy software. This exploit, enabling unauthorized access to any file on the JobManager's local filesystem via the REST interface, poses a substantial risk to federal agencies and private sector entities utilizing the software. The potential ramifications encompass data breaches, disclosure of sensitive information, and harm to reputation. Organizations must accord high priority to rectifying this vulnerability or contemplate transitioning to alternative solutions. Over the long term, this development underscores the necessity for continual security evaluations and proactive management of software supply chain vulnerabilities.
Did You Know?
- CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency): A federal agency tasked with safeguarding the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats, offering resources, tools, and guidance to enhance organizational cybersecurity posture. The addition of vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog aligns with its initiative to keep federal agencies and private sector firms abreast of potential threats.
- Apache Flink: An open-source platform facilitating distributed stream and batch processing, utilized for real-time data analysis, handling large datasets, and constructing data-intensive applications. Flink's REST interface allows users to interact with the system via web requests, facilitating integration with other tools and services.
- CVE-2020-17519: A specific vulnerability affecting Apache Flink, representing an improper access control issue linked to the REST interface, permitting unauthorized access to any file on the JobManager's local filesystem. This vulnerability has been known since 2020, and its recent addition to CISA's catalog imposes a deadline for organizations to address the issue by applying the patch or discontinuing the use of the vulnerable software to mitigate exploitation risks.