CVE-2023-36542
HIGHApache NiFi Code Injection vulnerability
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Blast Radius
org.apache.nifi:nifi-cdc-mysql-bundle☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-jms-processors☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-standard-processors☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-dbcp-service☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-hikari-dbcp-service☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-hadoop-dbcp-service☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-hbase_2-client-service☕org.apache.nifi:nifi-record-serialization-servicesReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Maven packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Apache NiFi 0.0.2 through 1.22.0 include Processors and Controller Services that support HTTP URL references for retrieving drivers, which allows an authenticated and authorized user to configure a location that enables custom code execution. The resolution introduces a new Required Permission for referencing remote resources, restricting configuration of these components to privileged users. The permission prevents unprivileged users from configuring Processors and Controller Services annotated with the new Reference Remote Resources restriction. Upgrading to Apache NiFi 1.23.0 is the recommended mitigation.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | org.apache.nifi:nifi-cdc-mysql-bundle | ≥ 0.0.2&&< 1.23.0 | 1.23.0 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.nifi:nifi-jms-processors | ≥ 0.0.2&&< 1.23.0 | 1.23.0 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.nifi:nifi-standard-processors | ≥ 0.0.2&&< 1.23.0 | 1.23.0 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.nifi:nifi-dbcp-service | ≥ 0.0.2&&< 1.23.0 | 1.23.0 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.nifi:nifi-hikari-dbcp-service | ≥ 0.0.2&&< 1.23.0 | 1.23.0 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.nifi:nifi-hadoop-dbcp-service | ≥ 0.0.2&&< 1.23.0 | 1.23.0 |
Research use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for org.apache.nifi:nifi-cdc-mysql-bundle. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update org.apache.nifi:nifi-cdc-mysql-bundle to 1.23.0 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2023-36542 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether CVE-2023-36542 is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to CVE-2023-36542. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2023-36542 in your dependencies?
O3 detects CVE-2023-36542 across Maven dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.