CVE-2025-32966 is an authentication bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-290 affecting DataEase, an open-source business intelligence (BI) tool that serves as an alternative to Tableau. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.10.8. Authenticated users can exploit this flaw to perform remote code execution (RCE) through the backend JDBC link. Specifically, the issue arises because the authentication mechanism can be bypassed by spoofing, allowing an attacker with valid credentials to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code on the server hosting DataEase. This bypass undermines the integrity of the authentication process, enabling attackers to interact with the backend database connection layer in an unauthorized manner. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 23, 2025, and has been patched in version 2.10.8. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for exploitation exists due to the nature of the vulnerability and the critical impact of RCE on system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for those relying on DataEase for business intelligence and data analytics. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive business data, manipulation or deletion of critical datasets, and potential lateral movement within the network. This could disrupt business operations, lead to data breaches involving personal or proprietary information, and cause reputational damage. Since DataEase interfaces with backend databases via JDBC, attackers could gain deep access to underlying data stores, increasing the risk of data exfiltration or sabotage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government—where BI tools are integral to decision-making—are particularly at risk. The medium severity rating reflects the requirement for authenticated access, which limits exposure to some extent but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with weak credential management or insider threats.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately upgrade all instances of DataEase to version 2.10.8 or later, where the authentication bypass flaw has been patched. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strong authentication controls, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing DataEase. Network segmentation should be applied to restrict access to the DataEase server and its backend database connections, limiting exposure to only trusted users and systems. Monitoring and logging of authentication attempts and JDBC connections should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities indicative of spoofing or unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular audits of user privileges within DataEase to ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced. If upgrading immediately is not feasible, temporary mitigations include restricting access to the DataEase interface to trusted IP addresses and disabling unnecessary JDBC backend connections. Finally, organizations should educate users about credential security to reduce the risk of credential compromise that could facilitate exploitation.