CVE-2018-8016 Missing Authentication for Critical Function in Apache Cassandra
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary Java code via unauthenticated JMX/RMI interface in default Apache Cassandra configurations.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2018-8016?
CVE-2018-8016 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Cassandra, published on 28 Jun 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The default configuration in Apache Cassandra 3.8 through 3.11.1 binds an unauthenticated JMX/RMI interface to all network interfaces, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via an RMI request. This issue is a regression of CVE-2015-0225. The regression was introduced in https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CASSANDRA-12109. The fix for the regression is implemented in https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CASSANDRA-14173. This fix is contained in the 3.11.2 release of Apache Cassandra.
Weakness: CWE-306
Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8016?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all Maven | From 3.8 | 3.11.2 |
org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all Maven | From 3.8 | 3.11.2 |
Products include Apache Cassandra.
How do I fix CVE-2018-8016?
Upgrade org.apache.cassandra:cassandra-all to 3.11.2 or later.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is CVE-2018-8016 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-8016 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Cassandra
- CVE-2016-3427 Oracle Java SE and JRockit Unspecified
- CVE-2021-44521 Remote code execution for scripted UDFs
- CVE-2026-27314 Apache Cassandra: Privilege escalation via ADD IDENTITY authorization bypass
- CVE-2025-26467 Apache Cassandra: User with MODIFY permission on ALL KEYSPACES can escalate privileges to superuser via unsafe actions (4.0.16 only)
- CVE-2025-23015 Apache Cassandra: User with MODIFY permission on ALL KEYSPACES can escalate privileges to superuser via unsafe actions
Sources
Also known as GHSA-52gq-7j6c-xw6x.