CVE-2023-25194PoC(apache / kafka_connect)

LOWCVSS 8.8 · HIGH

Exploit discussion active in current signal (1 latest mentions)

Immediate actions

  • Hunt for exploitation attempts and persistence artifacts
  • Increase monitoring for publicly documented tradecraft
  • Track advisory updates for patch or workaround availability

Recommended action window: High priority (within 72h)

NVD description

A possible security vulnerability has been identified in Apache Kafka Connect API. This requires access to a Kafka Connect worker, and the ability to create/modify connectors on it with an arbitrary Kafka client SASL JAAS config and a SASL-based security protocol, which has been possible on Kafka Connect clusters since Apache Kafka Connect 2.3.0. When configuring the connector via the Kafka Connect REST API, an authenticated operator can set the `sasl.jaas.config` property for any of the connector's Kafka clients to "com.sun.security.auth.module.JndiLoginModule", which can be done via the `producer.override.sasl.jaas.config`, `consumer.override.sasl.jaas.config`, or `admin.override.sasl.jaas.config` properties. This will allow the server to connect to the attacker's LDAP server and deserialize the LDAP response, which the attacker can use to execute java deserialization gadget chains on the Kafka connect server. Attacker can cause unrestricted deserialization of untrusted data (or) RCE vulnerability when there are gadgets in the classpath. Since Apache Kafka 3.0.0, users are allowed to specify these properties in connector configurations for Kafka Connect clusters running with out-of-the-box configurations. Before Apache Kafka 3.0.0, users may not specify these properties unless the Kafka Connect cluster has been reconfigured with a connector client override policy that permits them. Since Apache Kafka 3.4.0, we have added a system property ("-Dorg.apache.kafka.disallowed.login.modules") to disable the problematic login modules usage in SASL JAAS configuration. Also by default "com.sun.security.auth.module.JndiLoginModule" is disabled in Apache Kafka Connect 3.4.0. We advise the Kafka Connect users to validate connector configurations and only allow trusted JNDI configurations. Also examine connector dependencies for vulnerable versions and either upgrade their connectors, upgrading that specific dependency, or removing the connectors as options for remediation. Finally, in addition to leveraging the "org.apache.kafka.disallowed.login.modules" system property, Kafka Connect users can also implement their own connector client config override policy, which can be used to control which Kafka client properties can be overridden directly in a connector config and which cannot.

1.5/ 10 priority

Sources & remediation

Weakness type (CWE)
CWE-502

Priority

LOW

Exploitation

NONE

PoC

YES

Patch

NONE

Momentum

NONE

Are you affected?

If you run products in this scope, you should treat this CVE as relevant to your environment.

  • kafka_connect

Threat summary

  • Public PoC is present in monitored signal
  • 1 mentions across 1 observed day

What's happening

  • PoC mentioned or linked in 1 signal
  • Technical details provided in 1 signal
  • 1 total mentions across 1 day

Affected systems

Vendors
Products
kafka_connect

Deep dive

Activity timeline1 mentions / 1d
00111Mentions · 2026-07-02: 1PoC Mentioned / Linked · 2026-07-02: 1Technical Details · 2026-07-02: 107-02
Signal classification1 categories
PoC
1100.0%
Full discourse1 post
  • [email protected] / EDRmetry / PurpleLabs@cr0nym
    PoC

    Short demo of generic Linux Java application protection - Remote Code Execution in Kafka (CVE-2023-25194) or any other vs Tetragon Shield Probe TracingPolicy Enforcer - Potential shell spawning/exec trampoline from Java detected https://t.co/495Uj6SU04

    Post summary

    The post showcases a demo that illustrates a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Kafka (CVE-2023-25194) with potential shell spawning from Java, but it does not mention active exploitation, a patch, or detailed exploit code.

    0101251.1K
    3.2K followersView on X
CPE platform detail1 entries

1 of 1 entries

PartVendorProductVersionTarget SWTarget HW
Appapachekafka_connect---

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