CVE-2026-5485 Amazon CVE debrief

Who should care

Organizations using the Amazon Athena ODBC driver on Linux systems, especially those with exposure to untrusted users or networks, should prioritize upgrading to the latest version. Security teams and vulnerability management teams should review system configurations and ensure secure deployment of the driver. IT operators and administrators should be aware of the vulnerability and take steps to remediate it.

Technical summary

The Amazon Athena ODBC driver, prior to version 2.0.5.1 on Linux, is vulnerable to OS command injection. This is due to the driver's handling of connection parameters, which can be exploited by a threat actor to execute arbitrary OS commands. The vulnerability is addressed in version 2.0.5.1 and later. Affected users should review their system configurations and upgrade to the latest version. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.3 and is classified as HIGH severity.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to Amazon Athena ODBC driver version 2.0.5.1 or later
• Restrict access to the driver to trusted users and networks
• Monitor for suspicious activity related to the driver
• Review system logs for potential exploitation attempts
• Perform a thorough review of system configurations to ensure secure deployment
• Consider implementing compensating controls for exposed systems
• Track exceptions and retest remediated assets to ensure vulnerability closure

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-04-03T21:17:12.603Z and was last modified on 2026-07-24T09:10:00.153Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. The Amazon Athena ODBC driver before version 2.0.5.1 on Linux is vulnerable to OS command injection through specially crafted connection parameters. This issue can be exploited by a threat actor to execute arbitrary code during a local user-initiated connection. Evidence of exploitation is not currently available, but defenders should verify system logs for suspicious activity related to the driver. Users are advised to upgrade to version 2.0.5.1 or later to remediate this issue.

Official resources