CVE-2025-0736 in infinispan
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
A flaw was found in Infinispan, when using JGroups with JDBC_PING. This issue occurs when an application inadvertently exposes sensitive information, such as configuration details or credentials, through logging mechanisms. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access and exploitation by malicious actors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0736 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Infinispan's integration with JGroups when utilizing the JDBC_PING protocol. This vulnerability specifically manifests in scenarios where applications fail to properly sanitize their logging outputs, inadvertently exposing sensitive configuration parameters and credential information that should remain protected. The flaw exists at the intersection of distributed caching systems and network discovery mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the underlying infrastructure. When JGroups employs JDBC_PING for cluster discovery, it relies on database connections and configuration details that, under certain conditions, become visible in log output streams. This exposure occurs because the logging mechanisms do not adequately filter or mask sensitive data elements that are part of the JDBC connection parameters, authentication credentials, or other configuration values necessary for the protocol to function. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1528, focusing on credentials exposure through logging mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within Infinispan's logging subsystem when processing JDBC_PING protocol data. During normal operation, JGroups requires database connection details including usernames, passwords, and connection strings to establish cluster membership discovery. When these parameters are logged without proper sanitization, they become accessible to any entity with access to the application's log files or logging infrastructure. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background, requiring no special privileges or complex attack vectors to exploit. Attackers can simply monitor the application logs to extract the exposed credentials and configuration details, which can then be used to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database systems or to impersonate legitimate cluster nodes. This creates a cascading security risk where the exposure of a single credential set can potentially compromise entire distributed systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-0736 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of distributed applications relying on Infinispan and JGroups integration. Organizations using this configuration face potential unauthorized access to their database resources, leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and possible system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where applications are deployed across multiple nodes, as the exposure of JDBC_PING configuration details can enable attackers to map the entire cluster topology and identify potential attack vectors. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive information through logging creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, map network architecture, and plan more sophisticated attacks. The impact is further amplified in cloud environments where log files may be accessible through various monitoring and logging services, potentially exposing credentials to unauthorized third parties.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-0736 require a multi-layered approach focusing on logging configuration, input sanitization, and operational security practices. Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive log filtering mechanisms that automatically redact sensitive information from all logging outputs, particularly those containing database credentials, connection strings, and authentication parameters. This includes configuring logging frameworks to sanitize output before writing to log files and implementing proper log rotation and access controls to limit exposure. The implementation of proper credential management practices, including the use of environment variables or secure configuration management systems, can help reduce the reliance on hardcoded credentials in log output. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit who can access the application logs and database resources. Regular security audits and log monitoring should be conducted to detect any unauthorized access attempts or potential exploitation of the vulnerability. The remediation efforts should also include updating to patched versions of Infinispan and JGroups where available, as well as implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous logging patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.