OpenSearch SQL plugin: Unsafe deserialization of cursor parameter allows code execution
Summary
The OpenSearch SQL plugin, used in OpenSearch 2.x from 2.8.0.0 to before 2.19.6.0 and in 3.x before 3.7.0.0, deserializes the cursor parameter of the plugins/sql endpoint without adequate checks. A remote user with basic read/search permissions can send a crafted cursor and execute arbitrary code on the server. Exploitation requires valid credentials with read rights, which may be held by shared reporting or dashboard accounts.
Affected
- opensearch-project sql 2.8.0.0 to before 2.19.6.0
- opensearch-project sql 3.0.0.0-alpha1 to before 3.7.0.0
Fixed in
- Upgrade to 2.19.6.0 or later in the 2.x line
- Upgrade to 3.7.0.0 or later in the 3.x line
Workaround
Unknown. No workaround is documented; apply the fixed release.
Exploitation
- Technical details are known according to VulDB, but no public exploit was found.
- No evidence of active exploitation in the wild and no CISA KEV entry was found at the time of research.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all OpenSearch clusters and their SQL plugin versions, including AWS-managed domains.
- Upgrade self-managed installations to 2.19.6.0 or 3.7.0.0. Apply AWS service updates for managed domains.
- Do not expose the OpenSearch cluster or its SQL endpoint to the internet; restrict network access.
- Review accounts with read/search rights, remove unused or shared accounts and enforce least privilege.
- Monitor the SQL endpoint for anomalous requests and unexpected child processes of the OpenSearch JVM.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-r8cv-xvqm-4qj4 github.com
- OpenSearch SQL release 2.19.6.0 github.com
- OpenSearch SQL release 3.7.0.0 github.com
- Fix commit 402a284 (PR #5469) github.com
- Fix commit 9ab5038 (PR #5572) github.com
- VulDB entry 429443 vuldb.com
- AWS security bulletin 2026-092 (possibly same flaw, CVE-2026-83497) aws.amazon.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 31 Oct 2026, 23:15.
Original description (NVD)
OpenSearch SQL supports querying OpenSearch data using SQL and Piped Processing Language. In the 2.x line from 2.8.0.0 until 2.19.6.0, and the 3.x line prior to 3.7.0.0, a remote authenticated user with basic read/search permissions can provide a crafted `cursor` parameter to the `plugins/sql` endpoint and trigger unsafe deserialization of untrusted data, resulting in arbitrary code execution on the server. This issue is fixed in repository releases 2.19.6.0 and 3.7.0.0.
NVD references (7)
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/commit/402a284f1dff3545236480b67f860aa93fb667de
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/commit/9ab50384d3ad571a14211415fba2f6d26d4c80db
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/pull/5469
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/pull/5572
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/releases/tag/2.19.6.0
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/releases/tag/3.7.0.0
- https://github.com/opensearch-project/sql/security/advisories/GHSA-r8cv-xvqm-4qj4
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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