CVE-2026-62392 Overview
CVE-2026-62392 is an OS command injection vulnerability affecting Apache Kylin, an open-source distributed analytics engine. A backend API passes job configuration parameters directly to the operating system command line without proper sanitization. Attackers can inject arbitrary OS commands through crafted job config parameters, leading to remote code execution on the host running Apache Kylin.
The vulnerability affects Apache Kylin versions 4 through 5.0.3. The Apache Kylin project released version 5.0.4 to remediate the flaw. The issue is tracked under [CWE-78] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on Apache Kylin servers, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Apache Kylin 4.x (all versions)
- Apache Kylin 5.0.0 through 5.0.3
- Fixed in Apache Kylin 5.0.4
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-14 - CVE-2026-62392 published to NVD
- 2026-07-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-62392
Vulnerability Analysis
Apache Kylin exposes a backend API that accepts job configuration parameters from clients. The application forwards these parameters into a command line invocation on the underlying operating system. Because the code does not neutralize shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, backticks, or $(), attackers can append arbitrary commands to the intended process invocation.
Apache Kylin runs on JVM-based infrastructure and typically executes with privileges sufficient to interact with Hadoop, Spark, and HDFS resources. Successful exploitation grants the attacker the same privileges as the Kylin service account. This enables lateral movement into connected data platforms, data exfiltration from analytical datasets, and manipulation of query results.
Root Cause
The root cause is unsafe construction of an OS command string using user-controlled input. The backend API accepts job config parameters and concatenates them into a command that a shell interpreter subsequently executes. Missing input validation, allowlisting, or use of safe process execution APIs (such as ProcessBuilder with argument arrays rather than shell strings) allows injection of shell control operators.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker submits a request to the vulnerable backend API endpoint with a job configuration parameter that contains shell metacharacters followed by an injected command. When the Kylin backend constructs and executes the OS command, the shell interprets the injected payload. Consult the Apache Security Thread and OpenWall OSS-Security Update for further technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-62392
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the Apache Kylin JVM, such as /bin/sh, bash, curl, wget, or nc.
- Job configuration parameters in Kylin request logs containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &&, backticks, $()).
- Outbound network connections from the Kylin host to unfamiliar external IP addresses shortly after job submission.
- New or modified files in the Kylin user's home directory, /tmp, or web-accessible paths.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect Kylin backend API request logs for job parameters containing shell control characters or encoded variants.
- Correlate Kylin process tree telemetry with EDR data to identify anomalous child processes descending from the Kylin JVM.
- Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect POST bodies destined for Kylin job configuration endpoints.
- Use behavioral detection to flag JVM processes executing shell interpreters or reconnaissance binaries.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Kylin application logs, JVM audit logs, and host process telemetry into a centralized analytics platform such as Singularity Data Lake for correlation.
- Alert on any invocation of Runtime.exec or shell processes originating from the Kylin service account.
- Monitor egress traffic from Kylin hosts for connections to non-corporate destinations, particularly on ports 4444, 1337, and 8080.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-62392
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache Kylin to version 5.0.4 or later on all affected nodes.
- Restrict network access to Kylin backend APIs so that only trusted internal networks can reach the service.
- Review authentication configuration and disable anonymous access to job submission endpoints.
- Audit recent job submissions for unexpected shell metacharacters in configuration parameters.
Patch Information
The Apache Kylin project addressed the vulnerability in version 5.0.4. Administrators should download the fixed release from the official Apache Kylin distribution channel and follow the standard upgrade procedure. Review release notes referenced in the Apache Security Thread before applying the update in production.
Workarounds
- Place Apache Kylin behind a reverse proxy or WAF that filters shell metacharacters from job configuration parameters.
- Enforce network segmentation so that the Kylin management API is unreachable from untrusted networks or the public internet.
- Restrict the Kylin service account to the minimum privileges required, limiting the blast radius of successful command injection.
- Enable strict authentication and role-based access control on Kylin API endpoints until patching is complete.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
