CVE-2023-49736: Apache Superset SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2023-49736 Overview

A SQL injection vulnerability exists in Apache Superset through the where_in JINJA macro. The macro allows users to specify a quote parameter, which when combined with a carefully crafted SQL statement, enables attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability affects Apache Superset versions before 2.1.2 and versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.1.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially execute administrative operations on the underlying database, compromising data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Products

• Apache Superset versions before 2.1.2
• Apache Superset versions 3.0.0 to 3.0.1

Discovery Timeline

• December 19, 2023 - CVE-2023-49736 published to NVD
• February 13, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-49736

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) resides in Apache Superset's JINJA templating engine, specifically within the where_in macro functionality. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to manipulate SQL queries through improper handling of quote characters in the macro parameters. When a user provides malicious input containing carefully crafted quote sequences, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape these characters before incorporating them into SQL statements, allowing arbitrary SQL code to be executed against the backend database.

The attack requires network access and low-privilege authentication to the Superset application. Once authenticated, an attacker can craft malicious input that breaks out of the intended SQL context and injects additional SQL commands. This can lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or in some cases, command execution depending on the database configuration and privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and improper handling of the quote parameter within the where_in JINJA macro. The macro accepts user-controlled quote characters without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to escape the intended SQL context and inject malicious SQL code. The templating engine fails to properly neutralize special characters that have syntactic meaning in SQL queries, creating an injection point that bypasses intended query boundaries.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires a valid authenticated session to Apache Superset. An attacker with low-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious payload that leverages the quote parameter in the where_in JINJA macro. The attacker constructs a statement that uses the quote specification to break out of the expected SQL syntax, then appends arbitrary SQL commands.

The exploitation process involves manipulating the JINJA template syntax to inject SQL commands through the vulnerable macro. By providing a carefully constructed quote value combined with malicious SQL, the attacker can execute unauthorized queries, potentially extracting sensitive information from the database, modifying data, or escalating privileges within the database system.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-49736

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed SQL queries in database logs containing unexpected quote patterns or SQL syntax
• Application logs showing errors related to JINJA template rendering with SQL-like payloads
• Unexpected database access patterns from Superset service accounts, particularly bulk data extractions
• Audit logs indicating data access to tables outside normal user workflows

Detection Strategies

• Implement database query logging and analyze for SQL injection patterns such as UNION SELECT, nested queries, or comment sequences
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the Superset application
• Monitor Superset application logs for template rendering errors or unusual macro usage patterns
• Enable SentinelOne Singularity Platform endpoint detection to identify anomalous database communication patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for SQL errors indicating injection attempts in database logs
• Establish baseline behavior for Superset database queries and alert on statistical anomalies
• Monitor network traffic between Superset and database servers for unusual query volumes or patterns
• Implement user behavior analytics to detect compromised accounts executing abnormal queries

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-49736

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache Superset to version 3.0.2 or version 2.1.2+ immediately
• Audit database logs for any evidence of exploitation or unauthorized data access
• Review and restrict database permissions for Superset service accounts to minimum required privileges
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of the Superset application

Patch Information

Apache has released security patches addressing this vulnerability. Users running affected versions should upgrade to Apache Superset version 3.0.2 or later for the 3.x branch, or version 2.1.2 or later for the 2.x branch. The patch properly sanitizes the quote parameter in the where_in JINJA macro to prevent SQL injection attacks. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread for official patch details and upgrade instructions.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to Apache Superset to trusted users only until patching can be completed
• Implement application-layer firewall rules to filter requests containing SQL injection patterns
• Disable or restrict JINJA templating features if not required for business operations
• Configure database accounts used by Superset with read-only permissions where write access is not essential

# Example: Restrict Superset access via reverse proxy (nginx)
# Add to nginx configuration for temporary IP-based access control
location / {
    allow 10.0.0.0/8;      # Internal network only
    deny all;
    proxy_pass http://superset:8088;
}