CVE-2025-48208 is an LDAP Injection vulnerability identified in Apache HertzBeat (incubating), a monitoring and observability platform developed by the Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-90, indicating improper neutralization of special elements used in LDAP queries. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker—who must have a valid account with access privileges—to inject malicious LDAP commands by crafting specially designed input that is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into LDAP queries. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary script execution on the affected system, potentially enabling attackers to execute unauthorized commands, escalate privileges, or manipulate system behavior. The vulnerability affects all versions of Apache HertzBeat through 1.7.2. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8 (high severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the critical nature of monitoring platforms in enterprise environments. The Apache Software Foundation has addressed the issue in version 1.7.3, which includes proper input validation and sanitization to prevent LDAP injection attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk especially for those relying on Apache HertzBeat for infrastructure monitoring, performance tracking, and observability. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution, allowing attackers to compromise sensitive monitoring data, disrupt service availability, or pivot to other internal systems. This could impact critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government services where monitoring platforms are integral to operational stability and security. The breach of monitoring tools can also undermine incident detection and response capabilities, increasing the window of opportunity for attackers. Given the high CVSS score and the ability to execute arbitrary scripts, the potential impact includes data breaches, service outages, and loss of trust. Organizations with complex LDAP environments are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of the injection flaw.

European organizations should immediately upgrade Apache HertzBeat to version 1.7.3 or later, which contains the fix for this LDAP injection vulnerability. In addition to patching, organizations should audit and restrict access to Apache HertzBeat, ensuring that only trusted and necessary users have authenticated access. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any user-supplied data that interacts with LDAP queries, even beyond the patched version, to reduce risk from potential future vulnerabilities. Employ network segmentation to isolate monitoring infrastructure from less trusted networks and enforce least privilege principles on service accounts. Monitor logs for unusual LDAP query patterns or script execution attempts. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or LDAP query monitoring tools that can detect and block injection attempts. Regularly review and update security policies related to monitoring tools and conduct penetration testing focused on LDAP injection vectors.