Critical Remote Command Injection Vulnerability Discovered in Apache bRPC
A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Apache bRPC’s built-in heap profiler service, affecting all versions prior to 1.15.0 across all platforms. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary system commands remotely, posing a significant risk to affected systems.
Vulnerability Overview
The vulnerability, designated as CVE-2025-60021, arises from improper input validation within the heap profiler service’s endpoint (`/pprof/heap`). Specifically, the service fails to adequately sanitize the `extra_options` parameter before passing it to system command execution. This oversight enables attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the same privileges as the bRPC process.
Technical Details
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the jemalloc memory profiling component used by bRPC. This component processes user-supplied parameters as trusted command-line arguments without proper escaping or validation. Consequently, an attacker can craft a request to the `/pprof/heap` endpoint with a specially designed `extra_options` parameter containing malicious commands. When the heap profiler processes this request, it inadvertently executes the injected commands, granting the attacker control over the system.
Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to:
– Remote Code Execution (RCE): Attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the affected system without authentication.
– System Compromise: Gaining control over the bRPC process allows attackers to manipulate system operations, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or further network infiltration.
– Lateral Movement: With control over one system, attackers may pivot to other systems within the network, escalating their access and impact.
Affected Versions
All versions of Apache bRPC prior to 1.15.0 are vulnerable. This includes versions 1.11.0 through 1.14.x. Systems running these versions with the heap profiler service exposed to untrusted networks are at heightened risk.
Mitigation Steps
To address this critical vulnerability, organizations should take the following actions:
1. Upgrade to Apache bRPC Version 1.15.0 or Later:
The Apache Software Foundation has released version 1.15.0, which includes patches to resolve the input validation issues in the heap profiler service. Upgrading to this version is the most effective way to mitigate the vulnerability.
2. Apply the Official Security Patch:
For organizations unable to upgrade immediately, a security patch is available in the Apache bRPC GitHub repository (PR #3101). Applying this patch addresses the specific input validation flaw in the heap profiler service.
Additional Recommendations
– Restrict Access to the Heap Profiler Service:
Limit exposure of the `/pprof/heap` endpoint by configuring access controls to allow only trusted networks or authenticated users.
– Monitor System Logs:
Implement monitoring to detect unusual activity related to the heap profiler service, such as unexpected command executions or unauthorized access attempts.
– Conduct Security Audits:
Regularly review and audit system configurations and services to identify and remediate potential security vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The discovery of CVE-2025-60021 in Apache bRPC underscores the importance of rigorous input validation and secure coding practices. Organizations utilizing affected versions should prioritize upgrading to version 1.15.0 or applying the available patch to mitigate the risk of remote command injection attacks. Additionally, implementing access controls and monitoring mechanisms can further enhance the security posture against potential exploitation.
