CVE-2026-23902 Overview
An Incorrect Authorization vulnerability (CWE-863) exists in Apache DolphinScheduler that allows authenticated users with system login permissions to use tenants that are not defined on the platform during workflow execution. This authorization bypass flaw enables users to circumvent tenant validation controls, potentially allowing unauthorized access to resources and workflow execution contexts that should be restricted.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can exploit improper tenant validation to execute workflows under unauthorized tenant contexts, potentially gaining access to sensitive data or performing privileged operations across tenant boundaries.
Affected Products
- Apache DolphinScheduler versions prior to 3.4.1
- Apache DolphinScheduler workflow execution module
- Apache DolphinScheduler tenant management system
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-24 - CVE-2026-23902 published to NVD
- 2026-04-27 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-23902
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks within Apache DolphinScheduler's tenant validation mechanism. The platform fails to properly verify whether a specified tenant exists and is properly configured before allowing workflow execution to proceed under that tenant context.
When an authenticated user submits a workflow execution request, the system does not adequately validate that the requested tenant is actually defined within the platform's tenant configuration. This missing authorization check allows users to specify arbitrary or undefined tenant identifiers during workflow submission.
The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it affects both the confidentiality and integrity of the system. Attackers could potentially access data or execute workflows in contexts that should be restricted, leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation of workflow results.
Root Cause
The root cause is an Incorrect Authorization flaw (CWE-863) in the tenant validation logic. The application accepts tenant identifiers without verifying their existence in the platform's tenant registry. This oversight in the authorization layer allows the bypass of multi-tenant isolation controls that are fundamental to the platform's security model.
The vulnerability specifically manifests during workflow execution when tenant context is established. Instead of strictly validating that the tenant exists and that the user has appropriate permissions to use that tenant, the system proceeds with execution using the unvalidated tenant identifier.
Attack Vector
The attack can be executed remotely over the network by any authenticated user with basic system login permissions. The attacker does not require any special privileges beyond standard authentication to exploit this vulnerability.
The exploitation process involves:
- The attacker authenticates to the DolphinScheduler platform with valid credentials
- During workflow creation or execution, the attacker specifies a tenant identifier that does not exist in the platform's configuration
- The system fails to validate the tenant's existence and proceeds with workflow execution
- The workflow executes under the unauthorized tenant context, potentially accessing resources or data that should be isolated
This authorization bypass requires no user interaction and has low attack complexity, making it readily exploitable by authenticated attackers seeking to escalate their access within the platform.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-23902
Indicators of Compromise
- Workflow execution logs showing tenant identifiers that do not exist in the platform's tenant configuration
- API requests to workflow execution endpoints containing unrecognized or malformed tenant parameters
- Audit logs indicating users attempting to access or operate under multiple tenant contexts
- Unexpected workflow executions appearing in tenant contexts that the executing user should not have access to
Detection Strategies
- Implement logging and alerting for workflow executions that reference undefined tenant identifiers
- Monitor API traffic for tenant parameter manipulation in workflow submission requests
- Review access control logs for patterns of users attempting to operate across multiple tenant boundaries
- Deploy application-layer monitoring to detect anomalous tenant context switching behavior
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for the DolphinScheduler workflow execution module to capture tenant context information
- Configure SIEM rules to correlate user authentication events with tenant context changes
- Establish baseline tenant usage patterns per user to identify anomalous tenant access attempts
- Implement real-time alerting for workflow executions that fail tenant validation after patching
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-23902
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache DolphinScheduler to version 3.4.1 or later immediately
- Review recent workflow execution logs to identify any potential exploitation attempts
- Audit user permissions and tenant assignments to ensure proper access controls are in place
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to DolphinScheduler management interfaces
Patch Information
Apache has released version 3.4.1 which addresses this authorization bypass vulnerability. Users should upgrade to this version to receive the security fix. The patch implements proper tenant validation checks to ensure that only defined and authorized tenants can be used during workflow execution.
For detailed patch information and upgrade instructions, refer to the Apache Security Mailing List Thread and the Openwall OSS-Security Discussion.
Workarounds
- Implement additional authorization checks at the network or application gateway level to validate tenant parameters before requests reach DolphinScheduler
- Restrict system login permissions to only essential users until the patch can be applied
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to filter requests with suspicious tenant parameters
- Consider temporarily disabling workflow execution features for non-administrative users if business requirements permit
# Verify your current DolphinScheduler version
./bin/dolphinscheduler-daemon.sh status
# Upgrade to patched version 3.4.1
# Follow Apache DolphinScheduler official upgrade documentation
# Backup configuration and database before upgrading
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
