CVE-2025-1774 Overview
CVE-2025-1774 is an incorrect string encoding vulnerability in NASK - PIB BotSense affecting versions prior to 2.8.0. The flaw allows an attacker to inject an additional field separator character or value into the content of some fields within a generated event. Specifically, a field containing extra separator characters or values can be embedded inside the extraData field. This creates a log injection primitive that can corrupt downstream event parsing and interpretation. The issue is tracked under CWE-142: Improper Neutralization of Value Delimiters and was analyzed by CERT Polska.
Critical Impact
Attackers can manipulate the structure of generated BotSense events by injecting field separator characters through the extraData field, undermining the integrity of downstream security telemetry.
Affected Products
- NASK - PIB BotSense versions prior to 2.8.0
- Systems consuming BotSense-generated events for downstream analysis
- Integrations parsing the extraData field of BotSense events
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-17 - CVE-2025-1774 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-1774
Vulnerability Analysis
BotSense is an anti-fraud service developed by NASK - PIB that generates event records describing observed activity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient neutralization of field separator characters when constructing event strings. When user-controllable content is written into event fields, the encoding logic does not properly escape or sanitize the delimiter used to distinguish one field from another.
An attacker who can influence content that flows into the extraData field can embed additional separator characters. Downstream parsers interpret these characters as legitimate field boundaries. This shifts field alignment and allows attacker-supplied values to appear as if they originated from other, trusted fields of the event.
For complete technical background, see the CERT Polska CVE-2025-1774 Analysis.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of value delimiters, categorized as CWE-142. BotSense versions before 2.8.0 do not consistently encode or escape separator characters when serializing field content into events. The extraData field is the primary sink where unsanitized separator characters can be introduced.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low attack complexity and does not require authentication or user interaction. An attacker submits crafted input containing the field separator character used by BotSense event serialization. When BotSense generates the corresponding event, the injected separator is written verbatim into extraData. Any downstream consumer that splits the event by the separator will observe an event structure that differs from the one BotSense intended to emit.
Because no verified exploit code has been published, the vulnerability is best described in prose. See the CERT Polska advisory for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-1774
Indicators of Compromise
- BotSense events where the extraData field contains unexpected occurrences of the event field separator character.
- Downstream parsing errors, field count mismatches, or misaligned fields when ingesting BotSense events into a SIEM or data lake.
- Event records whose parsed field values do not match the semantic type expected for that column.
Detection Strategies
- Validate BotSense event integrity at ingestion by comparing observed field counts against the expected schema for the deployed version.
- Alert on any BotSense event where extraData contains raw separator characters or control sequences.
- Correlate anomalous event structure with the source client or upstream input to identify potential injection sources.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest BotSense event logs into a centralized data lake or SIEM to enable schema validation and anomaly detection.
- Track the distribution of extraData field lengths and character sets to baseline normal behavior.
- Monitor version reporting from BotSense deployments to identify any instances still running versions prior to 2.8.0.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-1774
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade all NASK - PIB BotSense deployments to version 2.8.0 or later.
- Inventory downstream parsers and integrations that consume BotSense events and validate their behavior against malformed input.
- Review historical BotSense events for signs of separator injection prior to patching.
Patch Information
The issue is fixed in BotSense version 2.8.0. Operators should coordinate the upgrade with NASK - PIB and consult the CERT Polska CVE-2025-1774 Advisory and NASK BotSense product information for release details and upgrade procedures.
Workarounds
- If immediate patching is not possible, add input validation upstream of BotSense to reject or escape field separator characters in user-controlled data.
- Harden downstream parsers to enforce strict field counts and reject events that deviate from the expected schema.
- Restrict network exposure of BotSense endpoints to trusted callers where operationally feasible.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
