CVE-2021-38296: Apache Spark

High severity, CVSS 7.5. EPSS: 1.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Apache Spark supports end-to-end encryption of RPC connections via "spark.authenticate" and "spark.network.crypto.enabled". In versions 3.1.2 and earlier, it uses a bespoke mutual authentication protocol that allows for full encryption key recovery. After an initial interactive attack, this would allow someone to decrypt plaintext traffic offline. Note that this does not affect security mechanisms controlled by "spark.authenticate.enableSaslEncryption", "spark.io.encryption.enabled", "spark.ssl", "spark.ui.strictTransportSecurity". Update to Apache Spark 3.1.3 or later

Affected products

• Apache Spark: before 3.1.3 (fixed in 3.1.3)
• Oracle Financial Services Crime And Compliance Management Studio: version 8.0.8.2.0 only; version 8.0.8.3.0 only

Published 2022-03-10. Last modified 2026-06-17.