Apache Superset Insecure Default Initialization of Resource Vulnerability
Apache Software Foundation — Apache Superset
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.
8.9
97.4%
Vector breakdown
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- High
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Changed
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
- Published
- Apr 24, 2023
- Modified
- Oct 21, 2025
- Added to KEV
- Jan 8, 2024
- Federal patch due
- Jan 29, 2024
CISA required action
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Weakness classification
Proof-of-concept & exploitation references
Weaponization
Public repositories whose name or description references CVE-2023-27524, found via a live GitHub search at request time. These are community-sourced signals, not a verified working exploit - cross-check each one before relying on it, and treat higher star counts and recent activity as (weak) corroboration, not proof.
No public GitHub repositories referencing CVE-2023-27524 were found at last check. Absence here is not proof no exploit exists - see the references below for vendor advisories and write-ups.
References
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2023-27524?
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.
How severe is CVE-2023-27524?
CVE-2023-27524 has a CVSS base score of 8.9 out of 10 (CVSS 3.1).
Is CVE-2023-27524 actively exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2023-27524 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added Jan 8, 2024, meaning CISA has confirmed evidence of active exploitation.
What is the EPSS score for CVE-2023-27524?
97.4% - meaning FIRST.org's EPSS model estimates a 97.4% probability this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within 30 days (100% percentile among all scored CVEs).
Is there exploit tooling available for CVE-2023-27524?
Yes - a public Nuclei template referencing CVE-2023-27524 exist in public repositories we checked.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2023-27524?
CVE-2023-27524 is classified under CWE-1188 (CWE-1188 Insecure Default Initialization of Resource).
Cross-checked against
Impactr finds and proves whether CVE-2023-27524 - or flaws like it - are actually reachable in your own web apps and APIs, with a reproducible exploit as evidence.
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