Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Apache Ranger 0.6 through 2.8 contains a command-injection flaw in UnixUserGroupBuilder. A specially crafted username may cause the host operating system to execute unintended commands. Because the supplied CVSS assessment indicates remote, unauthenticated exploitation with potentially complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, affected deployments warrant urgent investigation.
Executive priority
Treat as an immediate patch-verification and exposure-reduction priority. Within hours, identify affected Ranger instances and restrict reachable services. Escalate internet-accessible or unauthenticated username-processing deployments first. The sources do not name a fixed release, so remediation decisions should follow the Apache advisory rather than an assumed version.
Technical view
CVE-2026-28672 is CWE-77 improper command neutralization in Apache Ranger's UnixUserGroupBuilder, associated with org.apache.ranger.unixusersync. Username data may be interpreted as operating-system command syntax. The supplied CVSS 3.1 score is 9.8: network-accessible, low complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, with high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Likely exposure
Deployments running Apache Ranger versions 0.6 through 2.8 may be affected. Actual exposure depends on whether the vulnerable UnixUserGroupBuilder path is enabled and reachable through username-processing workflows. The bundle does not identify affected configurations, default reachability, deployment prevalence, or a confirmed fixed version.
Exploitation context
The supplied record does not list this CVE in CISA KEV and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. That absence does not establish safety. The CVSS vector describes a remotely reachable, unauthenticated, low-complexity condition, making confirmed reachable deployments attractive targets.
Researcher notes
The public bundle establishes the affected range, component context, CWE, and severity but omits the vulnerable code path, triggering interface, configuration prerequisites, fixed version, and patch details. Validate reachability through defensive code review and configuration tracing. Do not infer that every Ranger installation exposes the vulnerable path.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Apache Ranger deployments and identify versions 0.6 through 2.8.
- Check Apache's advisory for confirmed fixed versions and upgrade instructions.
- Restrict network access to exposed Ranger and user-synchronization interfaces while remediation is pending.
- Disable the affected UnixUserGroupBuilder workflow if operationally safe and supported by vendor guidance.
- Monitor Ranger hosts for suspicious child processes and unexpected operating-system changes.
Validation and detection
- Confirm the installed Apache Ranger version from authoritative package or deployment records.
- Determine whether UnixUserGroupBuilder and the unix user-sync component are enabled.
- Trace whether untrusted usernames can reach the affected processing path without authentication.
- Review process, audit, and application logs for anomalous commands associated with Ranger.
- After remediation, verify the deployed version against Apache's advisory and repeat reachability checks.
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-77: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. 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-2026-28672 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
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/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.
SSVC decision data
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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/99ysjqcmz950o3jgm6pqx1wb696onzq7CVE reference, apache · 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 a Command ('Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.