CVE-2024-41169: Apache Zeppelin Information Disclosure

CVE-2024-41169 Overview

CVE-2024-41169 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Apache Zeppelin, an open-source web-based notebook for interactive data analytics. The flaw resides in the Cluster Interpreter component, which exposes the raft server protocol without authentication. Unauthenticated remote attackers can interact with the raft server protocol to enumerate server resources, including directories and files. The vulnerability affects Apache Zeppelin versions 0.10.1 through 0.12.0 and is tracked under [CWE-664] (Improper Control of a Resource Through its Lifetime). The Apache Software Foundation addressed the issue in version 0.12.0 by removing the Cluster Interpreter entirely.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network-based attackers can read server-side resources including directory listings and file contents by abusing the exposed raft server protocol.

Affected Products

Apache Zeppelin 0.10.1 through 0.11.x
Apache Zeppelin versions prior to 0.12.0 with the Cluster Interpreter enabled
Deployments exposing the raft cluster service port on reachable network interfaces

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-12 - CVE-2024-41169 published to NVD
2025-07-13 - Public disclosure via Openwall OSS-Security mailing list
2025-11-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-41169

Vulnerability Analysis

Apache Zeppelin includes a Cluster Interpreter that uses the raft consensus protocol to coordinate multiple Zeppelin server instances. The raft server endpoint accepts and processes requests without performing authentication or authorization checks on the calling client. An attacker with network reachability to the raft port can issue protocol messages directly and request resource information from the targeted Zeppelin node.

The disclosed information includes directory structures and file contents accessible to the Zeppelin process. This exposes notebook content, configuration files, credentials embedded in interpreter settings, and other sensitive artifacts stored on the host filesystem. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-664] because the raft resource lifecycle is exposed without proper control boundaries.

Root Cause

The Cluster Interpreter implementation does not enforce authentication on inbound raft protocol connections. The component was designed for trusted intra-cluster communication but was deployed on network-accessible interfaces in default configurations. Because the protocol handler trusts any peer that can complete the raft handshake, attackers can impersonate cluster members and invoke resource enumeration operations.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires only network access to the raft service port on a vulnerable Zeppelin instance. No credentials, user interaction, or prior foothold is needed. The attacker establishes a raft protocol session and issues requests that return directory listings and file data from the server. The vulnerability is described in the Apache JIRA issue ZEPPELIN-6101 and the corresponding GitHub Pull Request #4841, which removes the affected interpreter.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-41169

Indicators of Compromise

Inbound TCP connections to the Zeppelin raft cluster port from unexpected source addresses outside the trusted cluster subnet
Zeppelin server logs containing raft protocol message handling from unauthenticated peers
Unusual file enumeration patterns or directory listing operations originating from the Zeppelin process
Outbound exfiltration of Zeppelin notebook files, conf/ directory contents, or interpreter setting JSON files

Detection Strategies

Inventory all Apache Zeppelin deployments and identify versions between 0.10.1 and 0.11.x with the Cluster Interpreter enabled
Monitor network flows to the raft service port and alert on connections sourced from outside the documented cluster member list
Inspect Zeppelin process activity for unexpected file read operations under the installation directory and notebook storage path

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose logging on the Zeppelin Cluster Interpreter and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform for review
Establish baseline raft traffic patterns between known cluster nodes and alert on deviations
Track outbound data volumes from Zeppelin hosts to detect bulk file disclosure following protocol abuse

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-41169

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Apache Zeppelin to version 0.12.0, which removes the vulnerable Cluster Interpreter
Restrict network access to the Zeppelin raft service port using host-based firewalls or network segmentation until patching is complete
Audit notebook content and configuration files for credentials that may have been exposed and rotate any potentially disclosed secrets

Patch Information

The Apache Zeppelin project fixed CVE-2024-41169 in version 0.12.0 by removing the Cluster Interpreter. The remediation is tracked in GitHub Pull Request #4841 and JIRA issue ZEPPELIN-6101. The official advisory thread is available on the Apache Mailing List and the Openwall OSS-Security archive.

Workarounds

Disable the Cluster Interpreter in conf/zeppelin-site.xml if upgrading immediately is not feasible
Bind the raft service to a loopback or private cluster-only interface rather than a publicly reachable address
Place Zeppelin servers behind a reverse proxy or VPN that enforces authentication before traffic reaches the raft port

bash

# Configuration example: disable cluster interpreter and restrict raft port access
# In conf/zeppelin-site.xml, remove or clear the cluster address property:
#   <property>
#     <name>zeppelin.cluster.addr</name>
#     <value></value>
#   </property>

# Restrict raft port (default range) to trusted cluster subnet using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 6000 -s 10.0.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 6000 -j DROP