CVE-2025-25274 in Mattermost
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2025
Mattermost versions 10.4.x <= 10.4.2, 10.3.x <= 10.3.3, 9.11.x <= 9.11.8 fail to restrict command execution in archived channels, which allows authenticated users to run commands in archived channels.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
This vulnerability affects Mattermost collaborative platforms where access controls have been improperly configured to allow command execution within archived channels. The flaw exists in versions 10.4.x up to 10.4.2, 10.3.x up to 10.3.3, and 9.11.x up to 9.11.8, creating a persistent security gap that undermines the intended archival process. The root cause stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly enforce channel access restrictions when users attempt to execute commands in channels that have been marked as archived. This represents a critical breakdown in the principle of least privilege and access control enforcement.
The technical implementation flaw allows authenticated users to bypass normal channel restrictions and execute arbitrary commands within archived channels, effectively circumventing the intended security boundary. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically targeting improper access control enforcement within collaborative environments. The flaw manifests when the system fails to validate whether a user has appropriate permissions to execute commands in a channel that has been archived, creating a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized command execution. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the system and potentially access sensitive data or system resources.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Mattermost for secure communications and collaboration. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to include potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information within archived channels. Security teams face challenges in monitoring and detecting unauthorized command execution activities, as these operations may occur within seemingly secure archived environments. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by both internal and external attackers who have valid credentials to access the platform.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Mattermost where available, implementing additional access control measures, and monitoring command execution activities within archived channels. The remediation process should involve comprehensive security assessments of all Mattermost installations to identify affected versions and ensure proper access control enforcement. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level restrictions and additional logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized command execution attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control validation and demonstrates the need for continuous security testing of collaborative platforms. The flaw underscores the necessity of maintaining strict separation between active and archived channel permissions and implementing robust access control validation mechanisms.