CVE-2025-68422 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) found in Elastic Kibana versions 7.0.0 through 9.2.0. The flaw allows an authenticated user lacking the 'live queries - read' permission to bypass intended authorization controls by sending a specially crafted HTTP request. This results in unauthorized access to the list of live queries, which may contain sensitive information about ongoing data retrieval operations or monitoring activities. The vulnerability stems from improper enforcement of permission checks within Kibana's API endpoints handling live query data. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or disruption of data (no integrity or availability impact), it compromises confidentiality by exposing potentially sensitive query details to unauthorized users. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, requirement for privileges (authenticated user), no user interaction, and limited impact on confidentiality only. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported as of the publication date. The vulnerability is relevant for organizations using Kibana for data visualization and security analytics, especially where live query data is sensitive. Elastic has not yet published patches, so mitigation currently relies on access control and monitoring.

For European organizations, the primary impact is unauthorized disclosure of live query information within Kibana, which could reveal sensitive operational or security monitoring data. This exposure may aid attackers in understanding internal query patterns, potentially facilitating further attacks or reconnaissance. Organizations relying on Kibana for security event monitoring, threat hunting, or compliance reporting could see a reduction in data confidentiality. Although the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the leakage of live queries could indirectly weaken security postures. Given the widespread use of Elastic Stack in European enterprises, especially in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and government, the risk is non-trivial. Attackers with valid credentials (e.g., compromised user accounts) can exploit this vulnerability remotely without user interaction, increasing the threat surface. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for proactive mitigation.

1. Monitor Elastic's official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-68422 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict Kibana access strictly to trusted users and networks using network segmentation, VPNs, or IP whitelisting to reduce exposure. 3. Enforce the principle of least privilege by reviewing and minimizing user permissions, ensuring only necessary users have access to Kibana and its live query features. 4. Implement robust authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 5. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of Kibana API requests to detect unusual or unauthorized access attempts, focusing on live query endpoints. 6. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or API gateways to filter and block suspicious crafted HTTP requests targeting Kibana. 7. Educate administrators and users about the risks of privilege escalation and the importance of credential security. 8. Regularly audit Kibana configurations and user roles to ensure compliance with security policies.