CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-12741NVD status: Deferred

A Looker user with Developer role could create a database connection using Denodo driver and…

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-12741 is a high-severity improper input validation vulnerability in Looker from Google Cloud, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 24.12.108, 24.18.200, 25.0.78 as the first without the flaw, so updating Looker to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.26% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Looker to 24.12.108 or 24.18.200 or 25.0.78 or 25.6.65, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Google CloudLookerbefore 24.12.108; before 24.18.200; before 25.0.78; before 25.6.65; before 25.8.47; before 25.12.10; before 25.1424.12.108, 24.18.200, 25.0.78, 25.6.65, 25.8.47, 25.12.10

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
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
Attack requirements
PresentThe target must be in a specific state or configuration for the attack to work.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
Integrity (vulnerable system)
HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
Availability (vulnerable system)
HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
Confidentiality (other systems)
NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Integrity (other systems)
NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Availability (other systems)
NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.

Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:Red. Scored by CNA.

Official description

A Looker user with Developer role could create a database connection using Denodo driver and, by manipulating LookML, cause Looker to execute a malicious command. Looker-hosted and Self-hosted were found to be vulnerable. This issue has already been mitigated for Looker-hosted instances. No user action is required for these. Self-hosted instances must be upgraded as soon as possible. This vulnerability has been patched in all supported versions of Self-hosted. The versions below have all been updated to protect from this vulnerability. You can download these versions at the Looker download page https://download.looker.com/ : * 24.12.108+ * 24.18.200+ * 25.0.78+ * 25.6.65+ * 25.8.47+ * 25.12.10+ * 25.14+

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Input Validation

The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Consider using language-theoretic security (LangSec) techniques that characterize inputs using a formal language and build recognizers for that language. This effectively requires parsing to be a distinct layer that effectively enforces a boundary between raw input and internal data representations, instead of allowing parser code to be scattered throughout the program, where it could be subject to errors or inconsistencies that create weaknesses.
  • Use an input validation framework such as Struts or the OWASP ESAPI Validation API. Note that using a framework does not automatically address all input validation problems; be mindful of weaknesses that could arise from misusing the framework itself (CWE-1173).
  • Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter the product, including but not limited to: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, reverse DNS lookups, query results, request headers, URL components, e-mail, files, filenames, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Remember that such inputs may be obtained indirectly through API calls.

More Improper Input Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-20)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Looker

All Looker vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Input Validation vulnerabilities

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