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CVE-2026-68979: Apache Nifi: Code execution

CVE-2026-68979 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects Apache Nifi. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available.

Vulnerability description

Apache NiFI 1.10.0 through 2.10.0 provide a Parameter Context update REST API method that does not enforce authorization checking on components referencing Parameter values. Updating a Parameter Context can change parameter values that affect referencing components, but framework authorization was limited to read and write privileges on the Parameter Context itself. As a result of the missing authorization, an authenticated user authorized to modify a Parameter Context, but not authorized on referencing components, could alter Parameter values affecting those components. In deployments where a Parameter value contains executable scripting content, updating a Parameter can result in code execution during automatic component validation, without starting the referencing component. The impact was limited to stopped components by existing verification checks, and the issue applies only to deployments that use component-level authorization policies. Upgrading to Apache NiFi 2.11.0 is the recommended mitigation, which aligns the Parameter Context update method authorization with other methods, adding authorization checking on affected components.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-862: Missing Authorization

The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.

Affected products

  • Apache Nifi: from 1.10.0 before 2.11.0

References