How severe is CVE-2021-34538?

CVE-2021-34538 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-34538 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (79th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-34538?

CVE-2021-34538 affects Apache Hive. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-34538?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-34538 published?

CVE-2021-34538 was published on 2022-07-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-34538

CVE-2021-34538 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Hive with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-306.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (79th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: Apache Hive
Published: 2022-07-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Apache Hive before 3.1.3 "CREATE" and "DROP" function operations does not check for necessary authorization of involved entities in the query. It was found that an unauthorized user can manipulate an existing UDF without having the privileges to do so. This allowed unauthorized or underprivileged users to drop and recreate UDFs pointing them to new jars that could be potentially malicious.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-34538?: Apache Hive before 3.1.3 "CREATE" and "DROP" function operations does not check for necessary authorization of involved entities in the query. It was found that an unauthorized user can manipulate an existing UDF without having the privileges to do so. This allowed unauthorized or underprivileged users to drop and recreate UDFs pointing them to new jars that could be potentially malicious.
How severe is CVE-2021-34538?: CVE-2021-34538 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-34538 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (79th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-34538?: CVE-2021-34538 affects Apache Hive. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-34538?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-34538 published?: CVE-2021-34538 was published on 2022-07-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://lists.apache.org/thread/oqqgnhz4c6nxsfd0xstosnk0g15f7354

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:apache:hive:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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