Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-42009 lets a logged-in malicious user run arbitrary code through Apache Ambari’s server agent. This is high risk because successful exploitation can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Ambari application. The cited sources recommend upgrading affected Apache Ambari 2.7.0 through 2.7.6 systems to 2.7.7.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority remediation for any Ambari deployment. It is not described as unauthenticated or actively exploited in the provided sources, but authenticated code execution can materially affect platform control and business operations.
Technical view
The issue is a Spring Expression Language injection, classified as CWE-917, in Apache Ambari’s server agent. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.0 with network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, and user interaction required. Code execution occurs in the context of the application.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to organizations running Apache Ambari 2.7.0 through 2.7.6 where authenticated users can reach Ambari functionality tied to the server agent. Internet exposure increases urgency, but authentication is required according to the CVSS vector.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerability is still serious because it allows authenticated remote code execution with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Researcher notes
Key constraints are authenticated access and user interaction per CVSS. Sources provide the vulnerability class, affected range, and upgrade target, but not detailed exploit conditions, indicators of compromise, or alternate mitigations.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade affected Apache Ambari deployments to version 2.7.7.
- Check the Apache advisory for current vendor guidance.
- Limit Ambari access to trusted users and management networks.
- Review Ambari user accounts and remove unnecessary access.
- Monitor Ambari systems for suspicious authenticated activity.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Apache Ambari instances and record exact versions.
- Confirm no production instance remains on 2.7.0 through 2.7.6.
- Verify the upgrade to Apache Ambari 2.7.7 completed successfully.
- Review authentication and authorization settings for Ambari users.
- Check security logs for unusual authenticated actions around Ambari.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-917: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-42009 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.15.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/6xf477ttz1oxmg0bx0tpdoz2mlqd7sbcCVE reference · vendor-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.