Security Bulletin
Summary
Apache Hive versions 4.1.0 before 4.2.0 are vulnerable to SQL injection in Hive Metastore Server when handling delete column statistics via Thrift APIs. Exploitation is limited to authorized users with API access. Upgrading to 4.2.0 or disabling direct SQL (metastore.try.direct.sql=false) mitigates the issue. This can affect watsonx.data.
Vulnerability Details
CVEID: CVE-2025-62728
DESCRIPTION: SQL injection vulnerability in Hive Metastore Server (HMS) when processing delete column statistics requests via the Thrift APIs. The vulnerability is only exploitable by trusted/authorized users/applications that are allowed to call directly the Thrift APIs. In most real-world deployments, HMS is accessible to only a handful of applications (e.g., Hiveserver2) thus the vulnerability is not exploitable. Moreover, the vulnerable code cannot be reached when metastore.try.direct.sql property is set to false.
This issue affects Apache Hive: from 4.1.0 before 4.2.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.2.0, which fixes the issue. Users who cannot upgrade directly are encouraged to set metastore.try.direct.sql property to false if the HMS Thrift APIs are exposed to general public.
CWE: CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
CVSS Source: CISA ADP
CVSS Base score: 5.4
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N)
Affected Products and Versions
| Affected Product(s) | Version(s) |
| watsonx.data | 2.3 |
Remediation/Fixes
The product needs to be installed or upgraded to the latest available level watsonx.data 2.3.1 or watsonx.data on CPD 5.3.1. Installation/upgrade instructions can be found here: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/software-hub/5.3.x?topic=watsonxdata-installing
Workarounds and Mitigations
None
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Acknowledgement
Change History
07 Apr 2026: Initial Publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
07 April 2026
Initial Publish date:
07 April 2026
UID
ibm17268709