CVE-2024-46910 Overview
CVE-2024-46910 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache Atlas, the open-source metadata management and data governance platform. An authenticated user can inject malicious script content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to hijack sessions and impersonate other authenticated users, including administrators. The flaw affects Apache Atlas versions 2.3.0 and earlier and is tracked under CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page. Apache has released version 2.4.0 to address the issue.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can execute arbitrary JavaScript in another user's browser session, leading to account impersonation and unauthorized access to governed metadata.
Affected Products
- Apache Atlas 2.3.0
- Apache Atlas versions prior to 2.3.0
- All deployments running Apache Atlas earlier than 2.4.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-13 - CVE-2024-46910 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-46910
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-46910 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting flaw in Apache Atlas classified under [CWE-80]. Apache Atlas provides metadata management, classification, and lineage tracking for data assets in Hadoop and related ecosystems. The application accepts user-supplied input through its web interface and API endpoints but fails to properly neutralize script-related HTML tags before rendering that input back to users.
When an authenticated user submits crafted input containing HTML or JavaScript, the payload persists in the Atlas metadata store. Any subsequent user who views the affected entity, classification, or attribute triggers execution of the injected script within the victim's browser session. Because the payload runs under the origin of the Atlas application, it can access session cookies, authentication tokens, and any actions the victim is authorized to perform.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient output encoding of user-controlled fields rendered by the Atlas UI. Input passing through metadata creation and update flows is not escaped for the HTML context, allowing <script> tags and event handler attributes to survive into the DOM. Apache addressed the encoding gaps in version 2.4.0.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the Atlas web interface and low-privileged authenticated credentials. An attacker with any valid Atlas account submits a metadata object, tag, description, or attribute containing an XSS payload. When a higher-privileged user, such as a data steward or administrator, browses the tainted entity, the script executes and can exfiltrate the session identifier or invoke privileged API calls on the victim's behalf. This enables impersonation without direct credential theft.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently listed for this CVE. See the Apache Mailing List Discussion and the OpenWall oss-security Thread for the vendor advisory details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-46910
Indicators of Compromise
- Metadata entities, classifications, or attribute values containing <script>, onerror=, onload=, or javascript: substrings.
- HTTP POST or PUT requests to Atlas REST endpoints (/api/atlas/v2/entity, /api/atlas/v2/types) with payloads containing encoded or raw HTML tags.
- Unexpected outbound requests from browsers to attacker-controlled domains shortly after users load Atlas metadata pages.
Detection Strategies
- Review Atlas audit logs for metadata modifications that include HTML tag characters in string fields.
- Inspect web server access logs for POST bodies or query parameters containing typical XSS test strings such as alert(, document.cookie, or <svg.
- Correlate authentication events with metadata submissions to identify low-privileged accounts writing content later viewed by administrators.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose Atlas audit logging and forward events to a centralized log platform for retention and search.
- Monitor for anomalous session activity from admin accounts, including API calls made immediately after viewing user-generated metadata.
- Alert on browser Content Security Policy (CSP) violations reported by users accessing the Atlas UI.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-46910
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade all Apache Atlas deployments to version 2.4.0 or later, which contains the official fix.
- Audit existing metadata records for embedded HTML or JavaScript payloads and sanitize or remove any suspicious entries.
- Rotate session tokens and force re-authentication for accounts that may have accessed tainted metadata prior to patching.
Patch Information
Apache released Apache Atlas 2.4.0 to remediate CVE-2024-46910. The vendor advisory is available on the Apache Mailing List Discussion. Administrators should follow the standard Atlas upgrade procedure, back up the metadata store, and validate UI functionality after applying the update.
Workarounds
- Restrict Atlas write permissions to a minimal set of trusted service accounts until the upgrade is complete.
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule set that blocks common XSS patterns on requests to Atlas API endpoints.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy at the reverse proxy layer to limit inline script execution in the Atlas UI.
- Require multi-factor authentication for administrative Atlas accounts to reduce the impact of session hijacking.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
