CVE-2023-27524
CVE-2023-27524 is a security flaw in Apache Superset, open-source software from the Apache Software Foundation. Attackers can read information from Apache Superset that should be private. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 8 Jan 2024.[1]
Apache Superset is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Apache has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it an insecure default initialization of resource in Apache Superset. In its words: “Apache Superset contains an insecure default initialization of a resource vulnerability that allows an attacker to authenticate and access unauthorized resources on installations that have not altered the default configured SECRET_KEY according to installation instructions.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “Session Validation attacks in Apache Superset versions up to and including 2.0.1. Installations that have not altered the default configured SECRET_KEY according to installation instructions allow for an attacker to authenticate and access unauthorized resources. This does not affect Superset administrators who have changed the default value for SECRET_KEY config. All superset installations should always set a unique secure random SECRET_KEY. Your SECRET_KEY is used to securely sign all session cookies and encrypting sensitive information on the database. Add a strong SECRET_KEY to your `superset_config.py` file like: SECRET_KEY = <YOUR_OWN_RANDOM_GENERATED_SECRET_KEY> Alternatively you can set it with `SUPERSET_SECRET_KEY` environment variable.”[2]
The underlying weakness is CWE-1188, in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it critical, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Apache’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Apache Superset.
Most families won’t have Apache Superset; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 8 Jan 2024, 259 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 29 Jan 2024 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 98%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Apache has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Apache Superset is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 29 Jan 2024 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 9.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 98%.[4] |
See also
Other Apache flaws
- CVE-2016-3081, Apache Struts: command injection ·
- CVE-2026-34486, Apache Tomcat: missing encryption of sensitive data ·
- CVE-2026-34197, Apache ActiveMQ: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2024-38475, Apache HTTP Server: improper escaping of output ·
- CVE-2025-24813, Apache Tomcat: path equivalence ·
Similar flaws
- CVE-2025-48927, TeleMessage TM SGNL: initialization of a resource with an insecure default ·
- CVE-2023-6448, Unitronics Vision PLC and HMI: insecure default password ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2023-41990, Apple devices: code execution ·
- CVE-2023-38203, Adobe ColdFusion: deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2023-29300, Adobe ColdFusion: deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2023-23752, Joomla!: improper access control ·
- CVE-2016-20017, D-Link DSL-2750B Devices: command injection ·
Every Apache flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in January 2024
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apache Superset Insecure Default Initialization of Resource Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 8 Jan 2024.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-27524 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 24 Apr 2023.
- ^ Apache. Advisories and fixes: lists.apache.org.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.981, percentile 99.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-27524”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.