CVE-2025-32966: DataEase RCE Vulnerability via JDBC Link

CVE-2025-32966 Overview

CVE-2025-32966 is a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting DataEase, an open-source business intelligence (BI) tool designed as an alternative to Tableau. This vulnerability allows authenticated users to achieve complete remote code execution through malicious manipulation of backend JDBC database connections. The flaw stems from improper authentication bypass controls (CWE-290) in how the application handles JDBC link configurations.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can leverage this JDBC connection flaw to execute arbitrary code on the underlying server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• DataEase versions prior to 2.10.8
• DataEase open-source BI platform installations
• Self-hosted DataEase deployments with JDBC data source configurations

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-23 - CVE-2025-32966 published to NVD
• 2025-06-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-32966

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in how DataEase handles JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) connections in its backend infrastructure. The application fails to properly validate and sanitize JDBC connection parameters, allowing authenticated users to craft malicious JDBC URLs that result in arbitrary code execution on the server.

JDBC connections in Java applications can be weaponized through various attack techniques including JNDI injection, deserialization attacks via database drivers, and malicious JDBC URL manipulation. In the context of DataEase, an attacker with valid authentication credentials can exploit the data source configuration functionality to inject malicious payloads through the JDBC connection string.

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-290 (Authentication Bypass by Spoofing), indicating that the application's authentication mechanisms can be circumvented to perform unauthorized actions. This classification suggests that the JDBC handling code may not properly verify the legitimacy of connection requests or may allow privilege escalation through the database connection layer.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-32966 lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization of JDBC connection parameters within the DataEase application. The backend JDBC link handling mechanism accepts user-controlled input that is then used to establish database connections without proper security controls. This allows attackers to inject malicious JDBC URLs or parameters that trigger code execution when processed by the Java runtime environment.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires prior authentication to the DataEase platform. Once authenticated, an attacker can navigate to the data source configuration area and craft a malicious JDBC connection string. When the application processes this connection, the malicious payload is executed with the privileges of the DataEase server process.

The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating the JDBC connection URL or driver parameters to trigger unsafe operations. Common exploitation techniques for JDBC-based RCE include:

• Injecting JNDI lookup references that load remote malicious classes
• Exploiting deserialization vulnerabilities in specific JDBC drivers
• Leveraging database-specific features that allow command execution
• Chaining with other vulnerabilities to escalate from authenticated to full system access

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-h7hj-4j78-cvc7.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32966

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual JDBC connection strings containing JNDI references (e.g., ldap://, rmi://, dns://)
• Unexpected outbound network connections from the DataEase server to external LDAP or RMI servers
• New or modified data source configurations with suspicious connection parameters
• Anomalous process spawning from the Java/DataEase process
• Evidence of class loading from remote URLs in application logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor DataEase application logs for JDBC connection errors or unusual connection attempts
• Implement network monitoring to detect outbound connections to unexpected LDAP/RMI endpoints
• Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify suspicious child processes of Java applications
• Audit data source configuration changes and alert on modifications containing suspicious patterns
• Use web application firewalls (WAF) to inspect and block malicious JDBC URL patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for all database connection operations in DataEase
• Configure SIEM alerts for JNDI-related strings in web application logs
• Monitor file system integrity for unexpected file creation in DataEase directories
• Track user activity around data source configuration with enhanced audit logging
• Implement behavioral analysis for the DataEase service account to detect anomalous activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32966

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade DataEase to version 2.10.8 or later immediately
• Audit all existing JDBC data source configurations for suspicious entries
• Review user accounts with access to data source configuration and apply least privilege principles
• Implement network segmentation to restrict outbound connections from DataEase servers
• Enable additional authentication controls and monitoring for administrative functions

Patch Information

DataEase has addressed this vulnerability in version 2.10.8. Organizations should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the security flaw. The patch implements proper validation and sanitization of JDBC connection parameters to prevent malicious code execution.

For detailed patch information and upgrade instructions, consult the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-h7hj-4j78-cvc7.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to DataEase administrative interfaces using firewall rules
• Block outbound LDAP, RMI, and DNS connections from the DataEase server at the network level
• Limit user permissions to prevent unauthorized data source configuration changes
• Implement application-level controls to whitelist allowed JDBC driver types and connection patterns
• Consider deploying a reverse proxy with request inspection capabilities in front of DataEase

# Network-level mitigation: Block common JNDI attack vectors
# Example iptables rules to restrict outbound connections
iptables -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 1389 -m owner --uid-owner dataease -j DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 1099 -m owner --uid-owner dataease -j DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 389 -m owner --uid-owner dataease -j DROP