CVE-2025-57396 is a privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Tandoor Recipes version 2.0.0-alpha-1, which was resolved in version 2.0.0-alpha-2. The vulnerability arises from a rework of the API, specifically the User Profile API Endpoint, which exposes two boolean flags indicating whether a user has staff or administrative privileges. Due to improper access control or validation, any authenticated user can manipulate these boolean values to escalate their privileges to the highest level, effectively granting themselves administrative rights. This flaw allows attackers to bypass intended authorization mechanisms, potentially gaining full control over the application and its data. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication, but it exploits a fundamental design flaw in the API's privilege management. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication.

For European organizations using Tandoor Recipes 2.0.0-alpha-1, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. An attacker with a valid user account can escalate privileges to administrative levels, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of content, and potential disruption of service. This could lead to data breaches involving personal or proprietary information, undermining confidentiality and integrity. Additionally, attackers could leverage administrative privileges to implant malicious code or create persistent backdoors, threatening availability and long-term security. Organizations in sectors such as hospitality, food services, or any industry utilizing Tandoor Recipes for recipe management or related workflows could face operational disruptions and reputational damage. Given the lack of known exploits, the immediate threat may be low, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical risk if exploited.

European organizations should promptly upgrade Tandoor Recipes to version 2.0.0-alpha-2 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Until the upgrade is possible, organizations should restrict access to the User Profile API Endpoint by implementing strict server-side validation and access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of privilege flags. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious API requests can provide an additional layer of defense. Regularly auditing user roles and permissions to detect anomalies is recommended. Organizations should also monitor logs for unusual privilege escalation attempts and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of compromised accounts. Finally, applying the principle of least privilege across all user accounts limits the potential damage from any single compromised account.