A critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-30065, has been discovered in Apache Parquet’s Java library, posing a significant threat to data analytics systems globally. This flaw, carrying the highest possible CVSS score of 10.0, enables attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting unsafe deserialization within the parquet-avro module.
Understanding the Vulnerability
The vulnerability, classified under Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502), affects all Apache Parquet Java versions up to and including 1.15.0. Introduced in version 1.8.0, this flaw centers around insecure class loading during Avro schema parsing. Attackers can craft malicious Parquet files that, when processed, allow the execution of arbitrary code without requiring user interaction or authentication.
Technical Details
At the heart of this vulnerability is a flaw in schema parsing within the parquet-avro module. Specifically, the issue arises from insecure class loading during Avro schema parsing, which permits attackers to inject and execute malicious code when a specially crafted Parquet file is processed. This exploitation requires no user interaction or authentication; an attacker merely needs to convince a target to process a malicious Parquet file through their data pipeline.
Discovery and Disclosure
The vulnerability was discovered and responsibly disclosed by Amazon researcher Keyi Li. The official advisory from Apache states: Schema parsing in the parquet-avro module of Apache Parquet 1.15.0 and previous versions allows bad actors to execute arbitrary code.
Impact on Big Data Ecosystems
The ramifications of this vulnerability are extensive, affecting numerous big data environments, including implementations of Hadoop, Spark, and Flink, as well as analytics systems on cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. Major companies like Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, and LinkedIn, known to utilize Parquet in their data infrastructure, are potentially at risk.
If exploited, attackers could:
– Gain complete control over vulnerable systems.
– Exfiltrate or manipulate sensitive data.
– Deploy ransomware or other malicious payloads.
– Disrupt critical data services and operations.
Endor Labs, in their security advisory, warns: The vulnerability can impact data pipelines and analytics systems that import Parquet files, particularly when those files come from external or untrusted sources. This underscores the high risk to system security, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Immediate Remediation Steps
In response to this critical vulnerability, the Apache Software Foundation has released version 1.15.1, which addresses the issue. Organizations are strongly advised to take the following actions immediately:
1. Upgrade Dependencies: Ensure all Apache Parquet Java dependencies are updated to version 1.15.1.
2. Validate Parquet Files: Implement strict validation protocols for Parquet files, especially those from external sources, to prevent the processing of malicious files.
3. Enhance Monitoring: Strengthen monitoring and logging mechanisms for systems processing Parquet files to detect potential exploitation attempts promptly.
4. Review Workflows: Conduct thorough reviews of data processing workflows to identify and mitigate potential exposure points.
As of April 4, 2025, there have been no confirmed reports of this vulnerability being exploited in the wild. However, security experts caution that, given the severity and public disclosure of the vulnerability, exploitation attempts may commence imminently.
Conclusion
The discovery of CVE-2025-30065 in Apache Parquet’s Java library serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of secure data processing practices. Organizations must act swiftly to mitigate this vulnerability by updating their systems, validating data sources, and enhancing monitoring to safeguard against potential exploitation. Proactive measures are essential to maintain the integrity and security of data analytics infrastructures in the face of evolving cyber threats.
