CVE-2025-25016 in Kibana
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
Unrestricted file upload in Kibana allows an authenticated attacker to compromise software integrity by uploading a crafted malicious file due to insufficient server-side validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25016 represents a critical security flaw in the Kibana platform that enables authenticated attackers to perform unrestricted file uploads. This issue stems from inadequate server-side validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify the contents of files uploaded by users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of an authenticated session, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit the weakness, but once authenticated, they can leverage this flaw to potentially compromise the entire software integrity of the system.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests as a failure in input validation controls that should prevent malicious file uploads from being processed by the Kibana server. The flaw allows attackers to bypass standard security measures that typically restrict file uploads to specific formats or validate file contents against known malicious patterns. This unrestricted upload capability creates a pathway for attackers to deploy malicious code, scripts, or binaries that can execute within the Kibana environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-434 which specifically addresses the issue of unrestricted upload of executable files, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous security incidents across various platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file upload capabilities and can lead to severe consequences including full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can upload web shells, malicious scripts, or other payloads that allow them to maintain access to the compromised system, escalate privileges, or use the Kibana server as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require privileged accounts to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access is more prevalent. This vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of unauthorized access to gain persistence within a system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves uploading a malicious file that can be executed or interpreted by the Kibana server, potentially leading to remote code execution or server-side request forgery attacks. The server-side validation failure creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass security controls that should normally prevent the execution of potentially harmful files. Organizations using Kibana are particularly at risk because this vulnerability can be leveraged to compromise not just individual Kibana instances but potentially entire data analysis platforms that may contain sensitive information and serve as central points for security monitoring and log analysis. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in the security architecture of the platform, where file validation mechanisms are insufficient to prevent the processing of potentially malicious content. This flaw requires immediate attention and remediation through proper input validation, file type restrictions, and content verification mechanisms that are consistent with industry standards for secure file handling practices.