CVE-2025-4123 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Grafana, with a CVSS score of 7.6. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by combining client path traversal and open redirect techniques. The implications of this flaw are significant, as it enables attackers to redirect users to malicious websites hosting frontend plugins that execute arbitrary JavaScript. Notably, this vulnerability does not require editor permissions, making it particularly dangerous if anonymous access is enabled.
The Grafana Image Renderer plugin, if installed, may further amplify the risk by allowing full read server-side request forgery (SSRF) via the open redirect. While the default Content-Security-Policy (CSP) in Grafana is designed to block XSS through the `connect-src` directive, this does not negate the need for immediate action.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Understanding the exploitation status is crucial, as the existence of exploits indicates that attackers could leverage this flaw if not addressed promptly.
Given the high profile of this vulnerability and its potential impact, it is essential for security teams to assess their Grafana installations and apply relevant updates without delay.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Grafana caused by combining a client path traversal and open redirect. The vulnerability's CVSS vector is "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L", reflecting the attack vector as NETWORK, with low complexity and required user interaction. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability impacts are low.
The affected product is Grafana, with versions including 10.4.18, 11.2.9, 11.3.6, 11.4.4, 11.5.4, 11.6.1, and 12.0.0. The vulnerability was published on May 22, 2025, and is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) and CWE-601 (URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect')).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-4123 lies in improper handling of user input, which allows for both path traversal and open redirect. The attack vector is primarily network-based, requiring low complexity and no privileges to exploit. User interaction is required, as the attack depends on redirecting users to the malicious site.
The confidentiality impact is rated high, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. While the integrity impact is low, the availability impact is also low, indicating that the primary risk is to data confidentiality.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential data breaches and unauthorized access, especially if anonymous access is enabled in Grafana installations. The possible blast radius is significant, given the ease of exploitation and the potential for attackers to redirect users to malicious sites. Organizations should assess their current usage of Grafana, particularly configurations allowing anonymous access, as this increases the risk dramatically.
The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is high due to its CVSS score of 7.6 and the presence of known exploits. Organizations must act swiftly to patch their systems and mitigate this risk.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability impacts all versions of Grafana prior to the vendor patch and specifically affects versions 10.4.18, 11.2.9, 11.3.6, 11.4.4, 11.5.4, 11.6.1, and 12.0.0.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply patches provided by Grafana to mitigate this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing workarounds such as disabling anonymous access and reviewing configurations that allow user redirection. For enhanced security, implement network controls to limit access to Grafana installations and monitor for any suspicious activities.
Additionally, organizations should validate remediation effectiveness through penetration testing to ensure all security controls are functioning as intended.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns, particularly attempts to redirect users to untrusted sites. Additionally, implementing network signatures that identify such redirections can be beneficial. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions with Grafana should also be tracked, as these may indicate attempts to exploit the XSS vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-4123 highlights the ongoing challenges organizations face in securing web applications against XSS attacks. This vulnerability exemplifies how seemingly minor misconfigurations can lead to severe security risks. Security teams must remain vigilant and adapt their strategies to mitigate such vulnerabilities.
As part of a comprehensive security posture, organizations should consider adopting a security testing approach that includes regular assessments, employee training, and incident response planning to address potential vulnerabilities proactively.
Furthermore, engaging in penetration testing methodology can provide insights into potential weaknesses within the application and help organizations fortify their defenses against future threats.
Lastly, keeping abreast of trends in web application security, including emerging threats and vulnerabilities, is essential for maintaining a robust security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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