CVE-2025-55675: CWE-285 Improper Authorization in Apache Software Foundation Apache Superset
Apache Superset contains an improper access control vulnerability in its /explore endpoint. A missing authorization check allows an authenticated user to discover metadata about datasources they do not have permission to access. By iterating through the datasource_id in the URL, an attacker can enumerate and confirm the existence and names of protected datasources, leading to sensitive information disclosure. This issue affects Apache Superset: before 5.0.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.0.0, which fixes the issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-55675 is an improper authorization vulnerability identified in Apache Superset, an open-source data visualization and business intelligence platform maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. The flaw exists in the /explore endpoint of Superset versions prior to 5.0.0. Specifically, the vulnerability arises because the application fails to enforce proper authorization checks when an authenticated user accesses this endpoint. This allows a user with valid credentials but limited permissions to enumerate metadata about datasources they are not authorized to view. By manipulating the datasource_id parameter in the URL, an attacker can systematically probe and confirm the existence and names of protected datasources. Although this does not allow direct access to the data within those datasources, the disclosure of metadata can reveal sensitive organizational information such as the presence of certain datasets, naming conventions, or data architecture details. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-285 (Improper Authorization), indicating that the system does not adequately restrict user actions based on their privileges. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without user interaction, requires low privileges (authenticated user), and results in limited confidentiality impact (metadata disclosure without direct data access). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The recommended remediation is to upgrade Apache Superset to version 5.0.0 or later, where the authorization checks have been properly implemented to prevent unauthorized metadata enumeration.
Potential Impact
For European organizations using Apache Superset, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily related to information disclosure. While the direct confidentiality impact is limited to metadata rather than actual data content, the exposure of datasource names and existence can aid attackers in reconnaissance activities, potentially facilitating more targeted attacks or social engineering. Organizations handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., financial, healthcare, or personal data under GDPR) may find that even metadata disclosure could violate internal security policies or compliance requirements. Additionally, knowledge of datasource structures could help adversaries identify valuable targets or infer business intelligence. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not immediately critical, it should be addressed promptly to avoid escalation or chaining with other vulnerabilities. Given the increasing adoption of data analytics platforms in Europe, particularly in sectors like finance, manufacturing, and public administration, the impact could be significant if exploited in combination with other weaknesses.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Immediate upgrade to Apache Superset version 5.0.0 or later, where the authorization flaw is fixed. 2. Implement strict access control policies at the application and network layers to restrict access to Superset endpoints only to authorized personnel and trusted networks. 3. Monitor and audit access logs for unusual patterns of datasource_id enumeration or repeated access attempts to the /explore endpoint. 4. Employ role-based access control (RBAC) configurations within Superset to minimize privileges granted to users, ensuring the principle of least privilege is enforced. 5. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious URL parameter manipulation targeting datasource enumeration. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on authorization mechanisms within Superset and related data platforms. 7. Educate users about the importance of safeguarding credentials, as exploitation requires authenticated access.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain
CVE-2025-55675: CWE-285 Improper Authorization in Apache Software Foundation Apache Superset
Description
Apache Superset contains an improper access control vulnerability in its /explore endpoint. A missing authorization check allows an authenticated user to discover metadata about datasources they do not have permission to access. By iterating through the datasource_id in the URL, an attacker can enumerate and confirm the existence and names of protected datasources, leading to sensitive information disclosure. This issue affects Apache Superset: before 5.0.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.0.0, which fixes the issue.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-55675 is an improper authorization vulnerability identified in Apache Superset, an open-source data visualization and business intelligence platform maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. The flaw exists in the /explore endpoint of Superset versions prior to 5.0.0. Specifically, the vulnerability arises because the application fails to enforce proper authorization checks when an authenticated user accesses this endpoint. This allows a user with valid credentials but limited permissions to enumerate metadata about datasources they are not authorized to view. By manipulating the datasource_id parameter in the URL, an attacker can systematically probe and confirm the existence and names of protected datasources. Although this does not allow direct access to the data within those datasources, the disclosure of metadata can reveal sensitive organizational information such as the presence of certain datasets, naming conventions, or data architecture details. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-285 (Improper Authorization), indicating that the system does not adequately restrict user actions based on their privileges. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without user interaction, requires low privileges (authenticated user), and results in limited confidentiality impact (metadata disclosure without direct data access). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The recommended remediation is to upgrade Apache Superset to version 5.0.0 or later, where the authorization checks have been properly implemented to prevent unauthorized metadata enumeration.
Potential Impact
For European organizations using Apache Superset, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily related to information disclosure. While the direct confidentiality impact is limited to metadata rather than actual data content, the exposure of datasource names and existence can aid attackers in reconnaissance activities, potentially facilitating more targeted attacks or social engineering. Organizations handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., financial, healthcare, or personal data under GDPR) may find that even metadata disclosure could violate internal security policies or compliance requirements. Additionally, knowledge of datasource structures could help adversaries identify valuable targets or infer business intelligence. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not immediately critical, it should be addressed promptly to avoid escalation or chaining with other vulnerabilities. Given the increasing adoption of data analytics platforms in Europe, particularly in sectors like finance, manufacturing, and public administration, the impact could be significant if exploited in combination with other weaknesses.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Immediate upgrade to Apache Superset version 5.0.0 or later, where the authorization flaw is fixed. 2. Implement strict access control policies at the application and network layers to restrict access to Superset endpoints only to authorized personnel and trusted networks. 3. Monitor and audit access logs for unusual patterns of datasource_id enumeration or repeated access attempts to the /explore endpoint. 4. Employ role-based access control (RBAC) configurations within Superset to minimize privileges granted to users, ensuring the principle of least privilege is enforced. 5. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious URL parameter manipulation targeting datasource enumeration. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on authorization mechanisms within Superset and related data platforms. 7. Educate users about the importance of safeguarding credentials, as exploitation requires authenticated access.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- apache
- Date Reserved
- 2025-08-13T14:06:04.682Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 689de581ad5a09ad005b2ae3
Added to database: 8/14/2025, 1:32:49 PM
Last enriched: 8/14/2025, 1:48:14 PM
Last updated: 8/14/2025, 2:02:49 PM
Views: 2
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