CVE-2025-27528 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Apache InLong, an open-source data integration framework developed by the Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502, which pertains to the deserialization of untrusted data. This flaw affects Apache InLong versions from 1.13.0 through 2.1.0. The core issue arises because the application improperly handles deserialization processes, allowing attackers to bypass the security mechanisms implemented in the InLong JDBC component. Exploiting this vulnerability enables an attacker to perform arbitrary file reading on the affected system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other critical data stored on the server. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, and it can be exploited remotely over the network, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability, reflecting its high impact on confidentiality and integrity, while availability remains unaffected. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat. Users of Apache InLong are strongly advised to upgrade to version 2.2.0 or apply the specific patch referenced in the official Apache GitHub repository pull request #11747 to remediate this issue. Failure to do so leaves systems vulnerable to data breaches and potential lateral movement within compromised networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27528 can be substantial, especially for those relying on Apache InLong for data integration and processing tasks. The arbitrary file reading capability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data, intellectual property, or internal configuration details, which may violate the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data protection laws. This could result in legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Additionally, exposure of internal files could facilitate further attacks, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within enterprise networks. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure, which often handle sensitive or regulated data, are particularly at risk. Given that Apache InLong is used for managing large-scale data flows, exploitation could disrupt business operations or compromise data integrity, impacting decision-making and service delivery.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade Apache InLong to version 2.2.0, which contains the official fix for CVE-2025-27528. 2) If upgrading is not immediately feasible, apply the patch available in the Apache InLong GitHub repository (pull request #11747) to address the deserialization flaw. 3) Conduct a thorough audit of all systems running vulnerable versions of Apache InLong to identify and isolate affected instances. 4) Implement network segmentation and strict access controls around data integration platforms to limit exposure. 5) Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual file access patterns or unauthorized queries that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block suspicious deserialization payloads. 7) Educate development and operations teams about secure deserialization practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code or integrations. 8) Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving deserialization vulnerabilities and data exfiltration.