Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Apache Ambari 2.7.0 through 2.7.6 has a Spring Expression Language injection flaw in its metrics source. A logged-in, malicious user with metrics consumer access could run code remotely. This is high business risk where Ambari manages production Hadoop or big-data infrastructure. Apache recommends upgrading to 2.7.7.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for internet-reachable, broadly accessible, or production Ambari deployments. Treat this as a high-risk authenticated RCE issue, but do not claim active exploitation from the provided evidence.
Technical view
CVE-2022-45855 is CWE-917 SpringEL injection in Apache Ambari's metrics source. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.0, with network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in environments running Apache Ambari 2.7.0 to 2.7.6 with authenticated users able to consume metrics. The provided affected metadata is sparse, so teams should verify installed Ambari versions directly against Apache guidance.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerability still matters because authenticated access can become remote code execution, especially in shared operations environments with many Ambari users.
Researcher notes
The public details identify SpringEL injection in the metrics source but do not provide deep technical root cause or exploit telemetry. The CVSS vector includes user interaction required; preserve that nuance when modeling exploitability.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Apache Ambari to version 2.7.7, as recommended by Apache.
- Inventory all Ambari servers and confirm no 2.7.0 to 2.7.6 deployments remain.
- Review and reduce metrics consumer access to necessary authenticated users only.
- Check Apache vendor guidance for any additional environment-specific hardening.
Validation and detection
- Confirm the deployed Ambari version on every management host.
- Map Ambari users and groups with metrics consumer permissions.
- Review logs for unusual authenticated metrics activity without assuming confirmed exploitation.
- Verify change records show upgrade completion to Ambari 2.7.7.
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
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CWE-917: Exact CWE lookup
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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-2022-45855 mapping review
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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/302c4hwfjy9lx63jrbhcdx948pxc54l1CVE 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.