CVE-2025-2180 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-502, which pertains to the deserialization of untrusted data. This vulnerability affects Palo Alto Networks' Checkov by Prisma Cloud, specifically versions prior to 3.2.415. Checkov is a static code analysis tool used to scan infrastructure-as-code (IaC) files such as Terraform configurations for security and compliance issues. The vulnerability arises when an authenticated user submits a malicious Terraform file for scanning. Due to unsafe deserialization practices within Checkov, the malicious input can trigger arbitrary code execution under the privileges of a non-administrative user on the host system running Checkov. The vulnerability requires that the attacker be authenticated to the Prisma Cloud environment and perform a scan operation with a crafted Terraform file. Exploitation does not require administrative privileges or user interaction beyond submitting the malicious file. The CVSS v4.0 score of 4.8 reflects a medium severity, considering the local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and partial impact on confidentiality and integrity. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date, and no official patches have been linked yet. The issue primarily affects Checkov versions 3.2.0 up to but not including 3.2.415, indicating that upgrading beyond this version mitigates the risk. The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or disruption of scanning operations within the Prisma Cloud environment.

For European organizations using Palo Alto Networks Checkov by Prisma Cloud, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized code execution within their cloud security posture management workflows. Since Checkov is often integrated into CI/CD pipelines and used to enforce security policies on IaC templates, exploitation could compromise the integrity of security assessments and potentially allow attackers to manipulate scan results or gain footholds within the cloud environment. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is moderate, as the attacker can execute code but only with non-administrative privileges and requires authentication. Availability impact is minimal. However, if exploited, it could undermine trust in automated security controls and lead to misconfigurations being deployed. Organizations in Europe with mature DevOps practices and reliance on Prisma Cloud for cloud security posture management are particularly at risk. The threat is heightened in sectors with stringent compliance requirements such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where IaC security is paramount. The lack of known exploits suggests limited immediate risk, but the presence of the vulnerability in widely used security tooling warrants prompt attention.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading Checkov by Prisma Cloud to version 3.2.415 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. Until patching is possible, organizations should restrict access to the Prisma Cloud Checkov scanning functionality to trusted users only, enforcing strict authentication and authorization controls. Implement monitoring and alerting on unusual scan submissions or anomalous behavior within the Prisma Cloud environment. Review IaC files submitted for scanning to detect potentially malicious content before processing. Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of any code execution on the host system. Additionally, consider running Checkov scans in isolated or containerized environments with minimal privileges to contain potential exploitation. Regularly audit and update cloud security posture management tools and maintain awareness of vendor advisories for timely patching. Finally, integrate runtime detection mechanisms to identify suspicious activities resulting from exploitation attempts.