CVE-2025-0757 in Pentaho Business Analytics Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2025
Overview
The software does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralize user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. (CWE-79)
Description
Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics Server prior to versions 10.2.0.2, including 9.3.x and 8.3.x, allow a malicious URL to inject content into the Analyzer plugin interface.
Impact
Once the malicious script is injected, the attacker can perform a variety of malicious activities. The attacker could transfer private information, such as cookies that may include session information, from the victim's machine to the attacker. The attacker could send malicious requests to a web site on behalf of the victim, which could be especially dangerous to the site if the victim has administrator privileges to manage that site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0757 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics Server affecting versions prior to 10.2.0.2, including the 9.3.x and 8.3.x release lines. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category 79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary content into web pages served to other users. The vulnerability exists in the Analyzer plugin interface, which serves as a critical component for business intelligence reporting and data visualization within the Pentaho platform.
The technical flaw manifests when the software fails to properly neutralize or sanitize user-controllable input before incorporating it into output that generates web pages. This inadequate input handling creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious URLs designed to inject harmful scripts into the Analyzer plugin interface. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significant because it allows attackers to manipulate the web application's behavior through carefully crafted input that bypasses normal security controls. The injection occurs at the point where user data is processed and rendered within the web interface, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as demonstrated by the potential for session hijacking through cookie theft and the ability to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. When malicious scripts are successfully injected, attackers can harvest sensitive session information stored in browser cookies, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts and their associated privileges. The risk escalates significantly when considering that victims may possess administrative rights to the affected websites, as these attackers could then execute privileged operations such as modifying system configurations, accessing restricted data, or performing destructive actions within the target environment. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where Pentaho serves as a central business analytics platform.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation involves upgrading to Pentaho Business Analytics Server version 10.2.0.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization measures and enhanced security controls. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection layers by monitoring and blocking suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability's characteristics align with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the web application attack category, particularly focusing on credential access and privilege escalation techniques that leverage client-side vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential injection points and ensure that proper security controls remain effective against evolving attack vectors.