Security Bulletin: IBM Cloud Private for Data is affected by a user impersonation vulnerability in PySpark.

Summary

When using Open Source Apache PySpark, it’s possible for a different local user to connect to the Spark application and impersonate the user running the Spark application. This affects versions 1.x, 2.0.x, 2.1.x, 2.2.0 to 2.2.2, and 2.3.0 to 2.3.1.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-11760
DESCRIPTION: Apache Spark could allow a local authenticated attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system, caused by a flaw when using PySpark. By sending a specially-crafted request, an authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to connect to the Spark application and impersonate the user running the Spark application.
CVSS Base Score: 7.8
CVSS Temporal Score: <https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/156245&gt; for more information
CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

• IBM Cloud Private for Data 1.1.x and Jupyter with Python 2.7, Spark 2.0.2
• IBM Cloud Private for Data 1.1.x and Jupyter with Python 3.5, Spark 2.2.1
• IBM Cloud Private for Data 1.2.x and Jupyter with Python 2.7, Spark 2.0.2
• IBM Cloud Private for Data 1.2.x and Jupyter with Python 3.5, Spark 2.2.1

Remediation/Fixes

• Users of IBM Cloud Private for Data V1.1.x are strongly encouraged to upgrade to IBM Cloud Private for Data V1.2.x or better.
  • IBM Cloud Private for Data 1.2.x includes Jupyter with Python 3.6, Spark 2.3.3 which is not affected
• Users of IBM Cloud Private for Data V1.2.x and Jupyter with Python 2.7, Spark 2.0.2 should upgrade to Spark 2.2.3 or newer
• Users of IBM Cloud Private for Data V1.2.x and Jupyter with Python 3.5, Spark 2.2.1 should upgrade to Spark 2.2.3 or newer
• Affected users should avoid using PySpark in multi-user environments.

Workarounds and Mitigations

None