Critical severity9.1NVD Advisory· Published Feb 11, 2022· Updated Jun 17, 2026
CVE-2021-44521
CVE-2021-44521
Description
When running Apache Cassandra with the following configuration: enable_user_defined_functions: true enable_scripted_user_defined_functions: true enable_user_defined_functions_threads: false it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host. The attacker would need to have enough permissions to create user defined functions in the cluster to be able to exploit this. Note that this configuration is documented as unsafe, and will continue to be considered unsafe after this CVE.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-allMaven | < 3.0.26 | 3.0.26 |
org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-allMaven | >= 3.11.0, < 3.11.12 | 3.11.12 |
org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-allMaven | >= 4.0.0, < 4.0.2 | 4.0.2 |
Affected products
6- osv-coords4 versionspkg:apk/chainguard/druid-compatpkg:apk/wolfi/druid-compatpkg:bitnami/cassandrapkg:maven/org.apache.cassandra/cassandra-all
< 34.0.0-r6+ 3 more
- (no CPE)range: < 34.0.0-r6
- (no CPE)range: < 34.0.0-r6
- (no CPE)range: >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.26
- (no CPE)range: < 3.0.26
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
9- jfrog.com/blog/cve-2021-44521-exploiting-apache-cassandra-user-defined-functions-for-remote-code-execution/nvdExploitMitigationThird Party Advisory
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/02/11/4nvdMailing ListThird Party AdvisoryWEB
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-8ffc-79xg-29w8ghsaADVISORY
- lists.apache.org/thread/y4nb9s4co34j8hdfmrshyl09lokm7356nvdIssue TrackingMailing ListVendor AdvisoryWEB
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44521ghsaADVISORY
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220225-0001/nvdThird Party Advisory
- issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CASSANDRA-17352ghsaWEB
- jfrog.com/blog/cve-2021-44521-exploiting-apache-cassandra-user-defined-functions-for-remote-code-executionghsaWEB
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220225-0001ghsaWEB
News mentions
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