Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Apache Superset deployments that kept the provided default SECRET_KEY can let an attacker sign in or access resources without authorization. This is a configuration failure with high business impact because Superset often exposes analytics, dashboards, and connected data sources.
Executive priority
High priority. KEV status means exploitation is known, and successful abuse can expose dashboards, data, and connected analytics resources without valid authorization.
Technical view
CVE-2023-27524 is a session validation issue in Apache Superset up to and including 2.0.1 when the default SECRET_KEY remains unchanged. The key protects session cookies and sensitive stored data. CISA KEV listing indicates known exploitation.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in Superset instances deployed from defaults, images, templates, or automation that did not set a unique SECRET_KEY in superset_config.py or SUPERSET_SECRET_KEY.
Exploitation context
CISA lists this CVE in KEV, so treat exploitation as confirmed. Packet Storm references public exploit material, but the bundle does not prove every Superset deployment is affected; changed SECRET_KEY configurations are stated as unaffected.
Researcher notes
The strongest evidence is Apache’s advisory text and CISA KEV status. Public exploit references exist, including authentication bypass and RCE-labeled material, but the provided bundle ties the root condition specifically to unchanged default SECRET_KEY configurations.
Mitigation direction
- Set a unique, strong random SECRET_KEY for every Superset deployment.
- Use superset_config.py or the SUPERSET_SECRET_KEY environment variable.
- Check Apache guidance before relying on version-only remediation.
- Prioritize internet-facing or partner-accessible Superset instances first.
- Review deployment automation for reused or default secrets.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Apache Superset deployments and versions.
- Inspect runtime configuration for SECRET_KEY and SUPERSET_SECRET_KEY values.
- Confirm the key is unique and not the provided default.
- Identify externally reachable Superset services for urgent remediation.
- Review authentication logs for unexpected access patterns.
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-1188: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-27524 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.9 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
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.
CISA KEV status
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:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L2.26Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.9HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/n0ftx60sllf527j7g11kmt24wvof8xykCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/24/2CVE reference
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172522/Apache-Superset-2.0.0-Authentication-Bypass.htmlCVE reference
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175094/Apache-Superset-2.0.0-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlCVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-27524CVE reference · government-resource
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.
Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default
Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.