CVE-2023-25194Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Remote code execution via JndiLoginModule LDAP deserialization

Published Feb 7, 2023 · Updated Mar 25, 2025

Deserialization in Apache Kafka Connect API 2.3.0 through 3.3.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via connector configuration. The REST API accepts a JndiLoginModule SASL JAAS override, causing the worker to query an attacker-controlled LDAP server and deserialize its response. Connector-management access and a usable Java gadget chain are required; successful exploitation runs code in the worker process or interrupts the service.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability95.81%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Deserialization in Apache Kafka Connect API 2.3.0 through 3.3.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via connector configuration. The REST API accepts a JndiLoginModule SASL JAAS override, causing the worker to query an attacker-controlled LDAP server and deserialize its response. Connector-management access and a usable Java gadget chain are required; successful exploitation runs code in the worker process or interrupts the service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-25194
Published
Feb 7, 2023
Updated
Mar 25, 2025
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Kafka Connect API
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 25, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.3.0 <3.4.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Kafka Connect APIversion=2.3.0 <3.4.0

Published CVSS scores

8.8GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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