Full Report
Elastic has rolled out security updates to address a critical security flaw impacting the Kibana data visualization dashboard software for Elasticsearch that could result in arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-25012, carries a CVSS score of 9.9 out of a maximum of 10.0. It has been described as a case of prototype pollution. "Prototype pollution in Kibana leads to
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Critical Prototype Pollution in Kibana Leading to Remote Code Execution
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-25012
- CVSS Score: 9.9 (Critical)
- CWE: Prototype Pollution (inferred from description)
## Affected Systems
- Products: Elastic Kibana (for Elasticsearch)
- Versions: 8.15.0 up to, but not including, 8.17.3.
- Configurations:
- Versions 8.15.0 to prior to 8.17.1: Exploitable by users with the **Viewer** role.
- Versions 8.17.1 and 8.17.2: Exploitable by users possessing all of the following privileges: `fleet-all`, `integrations-all`, and `actions:execute-advanced-connectors`.
## Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is a Prototype Pollution flaw within Kibana. This flaw can be leveraged through a combination of a crafted file upload and specially crafted HTTP requests to achieve arbitrary code execution. Prototype pollution allows an attacker to manipulate the properties of JavaScript objects, escalating privileges or leading to RCE.
## Exploitation
- Status: Not explicitly stated as exploited in the wild, but due to the critical nature and RCE potential, high risk is assumed.
- Complexity: Implied to be relatively low given the specific impact path (RCE).
- Attack Vector: Requires authenticated access, likely via Network access to the Kibana server.
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (RCE potential allows data exfiltration)
- Integrity: High (RCE allows for system modification)
- Availability: High (RCE may lead to denial of service or system compromise)
## Remediation
### Patches
- Kibana version **8.17.3** addresses this vulnerability.
### Workarounds
If immediate patching is not possible, users are recommended to disable the Integration Assistant feature by setting the following configuration in `kibana.yml`:
xpack.integration_assistant.enabled: false
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise (IOCs):** Look for unusual HTTP requests targeting file upload mechanisms or suspicious activity following authenticated access, especially if associated with the Kibana features mentioned in access conditions (Fleet, Integrations, Actions connectors).
- **Detection Methods and Tools:** Standard application security monitoring, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) tuned for JavaScript manipulation attempts, and monitoring the Kibana configuration status for the experimental feature flag being set to `false`.
## References
- Vendor Advisory: discuss.elastic.co/t/kibana-8-17-3-security-update-esa-2025-06/375441 (Defanged: discuss dot elastic co slash t slash kibana-8-17-3-security-update-esa-2025-06 slash 375441)