CVE-2025-13428 is a critical vulnerability identified in Google Cloud SecOps SOAR, a security orchestration, automation, and response platform. The vulnerability is rooted in CWE-20, improper input validation, specifically in the custom integrations feature of the SOAR server. Authenticated users assigned an IDE role can upload Python packages that include a malicious setup.py file. During the package installation process, this setup.py is executed without sufficient validation, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server remotely. This remote code execution (RCE) can lead to full compromise of the SOAR server, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate security workflows, access sensitive data, or pivot within the network. The vulnerability requires authentication with a high privilege role but does not require user interaction beyond that. Google has addressed the issue by releasing version 6.3.64 or higher, and all customers have been automatically upgraded, reducing the immediate risk. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant threat if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be severe, especially for those relying on Google Cloud SecOps SOAR for security automation and incident response. A successful exploit could lead to full compromise of the SOAR server, undermining the integrity of security operations and potentially allowing attackers to disable or manipulate security alerts and responses. This could delay detection of other attacks, cause data breaches, or disrupt critical infrastructure monitoring. Given the high privilege required, insider threats or compromised credentials pose a significant risk. The vulnerability could also affect compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations if sensitive data is exposed or manipulated. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government, which heavily depend on cloud security orchestration, are particularly vulnerable. The automatic patching by Google mitigates immediate risk, but organizations must verify their environment and monitor for any suspicious activity related to SOAR integrations.

Beyond ensuring that all Google Cloud SecOps SOAR instances are running version 6.3.64 or higher, European organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring around users with IDE roles, limiting this privilege to only trusted personnel. Conduct regular audits of custom integrations and uploaded packages to detect any unauthorized or suspicious content. Employ runtime monitoring and anomaly detection on SOAR servers to identify unusual execution patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Integrate multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all privileged accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Establish network segmentation to isolate SOAR servers from other critical infrastructure, minimizing lateral movement in case of compromise. Maintain comprehensive logging and alerting on package uploads and installations within SOAR. Finally, conduct regular security awareness training focused on the risks of privilege misuse and the importance of secure development practices for custom integrations.