CVE-2018-11770 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

Q: What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: Apache Spark REST API lacks authentication. 📉 **Consequences**: Attackers can run drivers without credentials. 💥 **Impact**: Full Remote Code Execution (RCE) on the cluster.

Q: Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **Root Cause**: Missing Access Control. 🔍 **Flaw**: The Standalone/Mesos Master exposes submission APIs publicly. 🚫 **CWE**: No specific CWE listed, but it is a **Broken Access Control** issue.

Q: Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

📦 **Vendor**: Apache Software Foundation. 📦 **Product**: Apache Spark. 📅 **Affected**: Version **1.3.0 and later**. ⚠️ **Components**: Standalone Master & Mesos Master (Cluster Mode).

Q: What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

👮 **Privileges**: Unauthenticated access. 💻 **Action**: Run arbitrary Spark drivers. 🧨 **Result**: Remote Code Execution (RCE). 📂 **Data**: Potential full cluster compromise.

Q: Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

📉 **Threshold**: **LOW**. 🔑 **Auth**: None required. ⚙️ **Config**: Default settings often expose the REST API. 🌐 **Access**: Publicly accessible if port is open.

Q: Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔥 **Exploit**: **YES**. 🐍 **Type**: Python RCE exploit available. 📂 **Source**: GitHub (ivanitlearning) & Metasploit module. 🚀 **Status**: Wild exploitation possible.

Q: How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Scan for Spark REST API ports (default 6066/7077). 🕵️ **Test**: Send unauthenticated requests to submission endpoints. 📡 **Tool**: Use existing PoC scripts to verify RCE capability.

Q: Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

🛠️ **Fix**: **YES**. 📜 **Source**: Official Apache Spark Security Advisory. 🔄 **Action**: Upgrade to patched version. 🔗 **Ref**: spark.apache.org/security.html

Q: What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **Workaround**: 🔒 **Disable** the REST API interface. 🚫 **Block**: Firewall rules for Master ports. 🛑 **Restrict**: Network access to Spark Masters only.

Q: Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔴 **Priority**: **CRITICAL**. ⚡ **Urgency**: High. 🚨 **Reason**: Easy RCE, no auth needed, public exploits exist. 🏃 **Action**: Patch immediately!

Updated May 08, 2026

This is a summary of the AI-generated 10-question deep analysis. The full version (longer answers, follow-up Q&A, related CVEs) requires login. Read the full analysis →

Q1What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: Apache Spark REST API lacks authentication. 📉 **Consequences**: Attackers can run drivers without credentials. 💥 **Impact**: Full Remote Code Execution (RCE) on the cluster.

Q2Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **Root Cause**: Missing Access Control. 🔍 **Flaw**: The Standalone/Mesos Master exposes submission APIs publicly. 🚫 **CWE**: No specific CWE listed, but it is a **Broken Access Control** issue.

Q3Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

📦 **Vendor**: Apache Software Foundation. 📦 **Product**: Apache Spark. 📅 **Affected**: Version **1.3.0 and later**. ⚠️ **Components**: Standalone Master & Mesos Master (Cluster Mode).

Q4What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

👮 **Privileges**: Unauthenticated access. 💻 **Action**: Run arbitrary Spark drivers. 🧨 **Result**: Remote Code Execution (RCE). 📂 **Data**: Potential full cluster compromise.

Q5Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

📉 **Threshold**: **LOW**. 🔑 **Auth**: None required. ⚙️ **Config**: Default settings often expose the REST API. 🌐 **Access**: Publicly accessible if port is open.

Q6Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔥 **Exploit**: **YES**. 🐍 **Type**: Python RCE exploit available. 📂 **Source**: GitHub (ivanitlearning) & Metasploit module. 🚀 **Status**: Wild exploitation possible.

Q7How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Scan for Spark REST API ports (default 6066/7077). 🕵️ **Test**: Send unauthenticated requests to submission endpoints. 📡 **Tool**: Use existing PoC scripts to verify RCE capability.

Q8Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

🛠️ **Fix**: **YES**. 📜 **Source**: Official Apache Spark Security Advisory. 🔄 **Action**: Upgrade to patched version. 🔗 **Ref**: spark.apache.org/security.html

Q9What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **Workaround**: 🔒 **Disable** the REST API interface. 🚫 **Block**: Firewall rules for Master ports. 🛑 **Restrict**: Network access to Spark Masters only.

Q10Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔴 **Priority**: **CRITICAL**. ⚡ **Urgency**: High. 🚨 **Reason**: Easy RCE, no auth needed, public exploits exist. 🏃 **Action**: Patch immediately!

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