CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-5485NVD status: Modified

Amazon Athena ODBC driver: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-5485 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in Amazon Athena ODBC driver from Amazon, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 2.0.5.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Amazon Athena ODBC driver to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.92% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Amazon Athena ODBC driver to 2.0.5.1 or a later version.
  2. Update Athena Odbc to 2.0.5.1 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on aws.amazon.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
AmazonAmazon Athena ODBC driverbefore 2.0.5.12.0.5.1
AmazonAthena Odbcbefore 2.0.5.12.0.5.1

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.07.3HighCNA
CVSS 3.17.8HighCNA

Official description

OS command injection in the browser-based authentication component in Amazon Athena ODBC driver before 2.0.5.1 on Linux might allow a threat actor to execute arbitrary code by using specially crafted connection parameters that are loaded by the driver during a local user-initiated connection. To remediate this issue, users should upgrade to version 2.0.5.1 or later.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Amazon Athena ODBC driver

All Amazon Athena ODBC driver vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.