CVE-2025-54057 Overview
CVE-2025-54057 is a basic cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache SkyWalking, an open-source observability and application performance monitoring platform. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in a web page [CWE-80]. Attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of users who view affected pages. All versions of Apache SkyWalking up to and including 10.2.0 are affected. The Apache SkyWalking project recommends upgrading to version 10.3.0, which contains the fix.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of a victim's session, leading to session compromise, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the SkyWalking UI.
Affected Products
- Apache SkyWalking versions <= 10.2.0
- Apache SkyWalking UI component
- Fixed in Apache SkyWalking 10.3.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-27 - CVE-2025-54057 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-54057
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-80] as Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page, commonly referred to as Basic XSS. Apache SkyWalking fails to sanitize script-related HTML tags before rendering user-controlled input into web pages served by the platform. An attacker can craft input containing <script> or similar HTML elements that the application returns without adequate encoding.
Exploitation requires user interaction, such as clicking a crafted link or loading a page displaying attacker-controlled content. Because SkyWalking is typically deployed as an internal observability tool, injected scripts run in the context of authenticated operators with visibility into telemetry, traces, and service topology data.
The scope-changed nature of this issue means injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, extending impact to other content rendered within the same browser session. Confidentiality and integrity effects are limited to what is accessible from the browser context of the targeted user.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient output encoding or input sanitization in code paths that render user-supplied strings into HTML responses. When script-related tags are not neutralized through HTML entity encoding or a strict allowlist, they are interpreted by the browser as executable markup rather than data.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires no privileges, but does require user interaction. A remote attacker crafts a URL or payload that, when processed by the SkyWalking UI, reflects or stores the malicious script. The target user must load the affected view for the payload to execute. See the Apache Mailing List Thread for the official advisory and the Openwall OSS Security Discussion for further technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54057
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Apache SkyWalking UI endpoints containing encoded or raw <script>, onerror=, onload=, or javascript: payload fragments.
- Unexpected outbound connections from operator browsers to attacker-controlled domains after visiting SkyWalking pages.
- Log entries showing anomalous query parameters or POST bodies routed to SkyWalking dashboard components.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and reverse-proxy access logs for requests to SkyWalking UI paths containing HTML tag characters (%3Cscript, <script, %3Cimg).
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule set that flags reflected XSS patterns targeting the SkyWalking hostnames.
- Correlate SkyWalking access logs with browser-generated Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports if CSP is enabled upstream.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on repeated failed CSP violations originating from the SkyWalking UI origin.
- Monitor authentication anomalies for accounts that recently accessed SkyWalking dashboards, including session token reuse from new IP addresses.
- Track version banners across SkyWalking deployments to identify hosts still running <= 10.2.0.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54057
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache SkyWalking to version 10.3.0 or later on all OAP servers and UI instances.
- Restrict network access to the SkyWalking UI so that only authorized operator networks can reach it.
- Require operators to authenticate through single sign-on with short session lifetimes to limit XSS-driven session theft.
Patch Information
Apache SkyWalking 10.3.0 addresses CVE-2025-54057 by adding proper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in affected UI code paths. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread for the official patch announcement and to the Openwall OSS Security Update for the follow-up notification.
Workarounds
- Place SkyWalking behind a reverse proxy or WAF that filters requests containing HTML tag characters targeting UI endpoints until the upgrade completes.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) header at the reverse-proxy layer to block inline script execution in the SkyWalking origin.
- Educate operators to avoid clicking untrusted links that reference internal SkyWalking URLs.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
