Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Kafka Connect can be abused by someone who can manage connectors to make the server load untrusted data through a risky Java login module. In the wrong classpath conditions, this can become remote code execution or denial of service on the Connect worker.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for any Kafka Connect environment with broad operator access or exposed management endpoints. The issue is not described as unauthenticated, so urgency depends on governance of connector changes and how quickly teams can apply Kafka 3.4.0-era protections.
Technical view
CVE-2023-25194 is CWE-502 unsafe deserialization in Kafka Connect client SASL JAAS configuration handling. An authenticated operator able to create or modify connectors can configure JndiLoginModule for connector Kafka clients, causing the Connect worker to process attacker-controlled LDAP data. RCE depends on suitable deserialization gadgets being present.
Likely exposure
Exposure is mainly Kafka Connect clusters from 2.3.0 onward where connector operators can override Kafka client SASL JAAS settings with a SASL security protocol. Apache Kafka 3.0.0 allowed these properties in default Connect configurations; earlier versions require a permissive override policy. Kafka 3.4.0 disables JndiLoginModule by default.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation for Kafka Connect. Exploitation requires access to a Kafka Connect worker and permission to create or modify connectors. Impact can be severe where connector dependencies provide usable Java deserialization gadgets.
Researcher notes
The key constraint is authorization: the attacker must already be able to manage connectors. The RCE path also depends on classpath gadget availability, while denial of service remains a concern. Evidence in the bundle supports configuration hardening and dependency review, not a single universal patch for every deployment.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Kafka Connect to a version with JndiLoginModule disabled by default where feasible.
- Set org.apache.kafka.disallowed.login.modules to block problematic login modules.
- Restrict connector creation and modification to trusted operators only.
- Implement a connector client config override policy limiting overridable Kafka client properties.
- Review connector dependencies for vulnerable deserialization gadgets and update or remove risky connectors.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Kafka Connect clusters and record their Apache Kafka versions.
- Review connector configs for SASL JAAS overrides using JndiLoginModule.
- Check whether connector client override policies permit JAAS-related client properties.
- Confirm the disallowed login modules system property is configured on Connect workers.
- Audit who can access the Connect REST API and modify connectors.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-502: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-25194 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kafka.apache.org/cve-listCVE reference · release-notes
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/vy1c7fqcdqvq5grcqp6q5jyyb302khyzCVE reference · vendor-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE mapping pending import
This CVE carries a CWE mapping that will resolve to a full Glexia CWE intelligence page after the official CWE import is complete.