CVE-2024-52295: DataEase Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-52295 Overview

CVE-2024-52295 is a critical hardcoded credentials vulnerability affecting DataEase, an open source data visualization analysis tool. Prior to version 2.10.2, DataEase allows attackers to forge JSON Web Tokens (JWT) and take over services due to hardcoded JWT secrets, UID, and OID values embedded directly in the application code. This vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the application with elevated privileges.

Critical Impact

Attackers can forge valid JWT tokens using hardcoded secrets to completely bypass authentication and take over DataEase services, potentially compromising all data visualization assets and connected data sources.

Affected Products

• DataEase versions prior to 2.10.2
• DataEase open source data visualization deployments
• Self-hosted DataEase installations

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-11-13 - CVE-2024-52295 published to NVD
• 2025-02-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-52295

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from CWE-798 (Use of Hardcoded Credentials), a fundamental secure coding violation where sensitive cryptographic material is embedded directly in the application source code. The DataEase application uses hardcoded values for the JWT secret key, along with hardcoded UID (User ID) and OID (Organization ID) values. These hardcoded credentials are identical across all DataEase installations, meaning any attacker who discovers or extracts these values can craft valid authentication tokens for any DataEase instance.

The attack is network-accessible without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. An attacker can forge JWT tokens that the application will accept as legitimate, effectively impersonating any user including administrators. This provides complete access to all data visualization dashboards, connected data sources, and administrative functions within DataEase.

Root Cause

The root cause is the use of hardcoded credentials in the application codebase. The JWT secret, which should be a cryptographically random value unique to each installation, was instead embedded as a static value in the source code. Similarly, the UID and OID values used for token validation were also hardcoded. This design flaw means the authentication mechanism provides no actual security, as the "secret" is publicly available in the open source repository to anyone who examines the code.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication. An attacker can:

1. Extract the hardcoded JWT secret, UID, and OID values from the DataEase source code
2. Use these values to craft a valid JWT token with arbitrary claims
3. Submit the forged token to a target DataEase instance
4. Gain authenticated access with the privileges specified in the forged token

Since the JWT secret is identical across all vulnerable installations, a single exploit can compromise any unpatched DataEase deployment accessible to the attacker. The attack requires no user interaction and has low complexity, making it highly exploitable.

The vulnerability allows attackers to forge tokens with administrative privileges, enabling complete service takeover including access to sensitive business data, modification of dashboards, and potential pivoting to connected data sources.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52295

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected administrative sessions or login events without corresponding user activity
• JWT tokens with unusual or inconsistent metadata patterns
• Authentication logs showing successful logins from unexpected IP addresses or geographic locations
• Access to sensitive dashboards or data sources by users who should not have permissions

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs for anomalous successful login patterns, especially from external IP addresses
• Implement network monitoring to detect unusual API activity patterns against DataEase endpoints
• Review access logs for data visualization assets and connected data sources for unauthorized access
• Compare application version against known vulnerable versions (prior to 2.10.2)

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed authentication logging within DataEase to capture JWT validation events
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to monitor for suspicious JWT patterns
• Implement SIEM rules to correlate authentication events with user activity baselines
• Monitor for reconnaissance activity targeting DataEase instances

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52295

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade DataEase to version 2.10.2 or later immediately
• Audit authentication logs for signs of unauthorized access prior to patching
• Review and rotate any API keys or credentials stored within DataEase
• Assess connected data sources for potential compromise
• Consider restricting network access to DataEase instances until patching is complete

Patch Information

The vulnerability has been fixed in DataEase version 2.10.2. The fix removes the hardcoded JWT secret and implements proper dynamic secret generation. Organizations should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. The patch details are available in the GitHub commit and the full security advisory is documented at GHSA-45v9-gfcv-xcq6.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to DataEase instances using firewall rules to limit exposure
• Place DataEase behind a VPN or zero-trust network access solution
• Implement additional authentication layers such as reverse proxy authentication
• If unable to upgrade immediately, consider taking vulnerable instances offline until patching is possible
• Monitor for unauthorized access attempts while awaiting the patch deployment

# Verify DataEase version to check vulnerability status
# Ensure version is 2.10.2 or later
docker exec dataease cat /opt/dataease/conf/version

# Restrict network access via iptables (example)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s trusted_network/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP