CVE-2025-8868 Overview
CVE-2025-8868 is a SQL injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in Progress Chef Automate versions earlier than 4.13.295 on Linux x86 platforms. An authenticated attacker can abuse improperly neutralized inputs in an SQL command within the compliance service. The attack leverages a well-known token to reach restricted functionality. Successful exploitation grants access to compliance service data and operations that should remain protected behind authorization controls.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute unauthorized SQL operations against the Chef Automate compliance service, exposing sensitive compliance data and enabling integrity and availability impacts on a centrally trusted infrastructure automation platform.
Affected Products
- Progress Chef Automate versions earlier than 4.13.295
- Chef Automate deployments on Linux x86 platforms
- Chef Automate compliance service component
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-29 - CVE-2025-8868 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2025-10-16 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-8868
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Chef Automate compliance service, which centralizes audit, scan, and compliance reporting across managed infrastructure. The service accepts inputs that are concatenated into SQL queries without sufficient neutralization of special elements. An authenticated attacker who can present a well-known token reaches restricted functionality and influences the resulting SQL statements.
Because the compliance service interacts with PostgreSQL-backed data stores holding scan results, profiles, and node metadata, query manipulation can read, modify, or delete records that fall outside the attacker's intended scope. Chef Automate operates as a trusted platform for fleet configuration and compliance evidence, so tampering with this data has downstream effects on audit integrity.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. User-influenced inputs are passed into query construction in the compliance service without parameterization or strict validation. The presence of a well-known token reduces the barrier to reaching the vulnerable code paths from an authenticated session.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires low privileges. An authenticated user sends crafted input to the compliance service endpoints reachable over the network. The attacker supplies the well-known token referenced in the advisory to access restricted functionality, then injects SQL syntax into a vulnerable parameter. The result is execution of attacker-controlled SQL within the compliance service's database context.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Chef Automate Release Notes 4.13.295 for the vendor's remediation notice.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-8868
Indicators of Compromise
- Compliance service HTTP requests containing SQL meta-characters such as single quotes, --, ;, UNION, or SELECT in parameter values
- Authentication events presenting the well-known token referenced by the vendor against compliance service endpoints
- Unexpected PostgreSQL query patterns or errors originating from the Chef Automate compliance service process
Detection Strategies
- Inspect Chef Automate access logs for anomalous request bodies and query strings targeting compliance API routes
- Correlate authenticated sessions with sudden spikes in compliance service database query volume or error rates
- Alert on PostgreSQL logs showing syntax errors, type cast errors, or large result sets returned to the compliance service
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Chef Automate application and PostgreSQL logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation
- Baseline normal compliance API usage per user and flag deviations in request frequency, payload size, or endpoint access patterns
- Monitor for outbound data transfers from the Chef Automate host that exceed expected reporting volumes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-8868
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Chef Automate to version 4.13.295 or later on all Linux x86 deployments
- Rotate any tokens, API keys, and service credentials used by the Chef Automate compliance service after upgrading
- Audit compliance service data and scan results for unauthorized modifications since the deployment of vulnerable versions
Patch Information
Progress addressed CVE-2025-8868 in Chef Automate 4.13.295. The fix is documented in the Chef Automate Release Notes 4.13.295. Administrators should follow the standard Chef Automate upgrade procedure and validate compliance service functionality after applying the update.
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to Chef Automate compliance service endpoints to trusted administrative networks only
- Enforce least-privilege role assignments so that low-trust accounts cannot reach compliance service functionality
- Disable or tightly limit accounts that no longer require Chef Automate access until the upgrade is completed
# Verify the installed Chef Automate version and upgrade if below 4.13.295
sudo chef-automate version
sudo chef-automate upgrade run
sudo chef-automate status
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
