In a recent security advisory, a moderate-severity vulnerability has been identified in Apache Cassandra, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access restricted data centers or IP/CIDR groups.
This flaw, designated CVE-2025-24860, affects multiple versions of the database management system, specifically those that utilize the CassandraNetworkAuthorizer and CassandraCIDRAuthorizer for managing network access permissions.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from incorrect authorization mechanisms within Apache Cassandra, permitting users with limited access rights to alter their own permissions through data control language (DCL) statements.
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This issue compromises the integrity of network security, as users may gain access to datacenters and IP/CIDR groups that should remain off-limits.
The affected versions include Apache Cassandra 4.0.0 through 4.0.15, 4.1.0 through 4.1.7, and 5.0.0 through 5.0.2.
Implications for Users
Apache Cassandra is a popular distributed database known for its scalability and availability.
However, this vulnerability highlights significant concerns regarding the platform’s access control mechanisms.
Administrators using the CassandraNetworkAuthorizer or CassandraCIDRAuthorizer are urged to closely examine their data access rules to safeguard against potential unauthorized breaches.
To mitigate this risk, users are strongly recommended to upgrade to the latest patched versions of Apache Cassandra: 4.0.16, 4.1.8, and 5.0.3.
According to the Openwall, these updates address the vulnerability and restore proper authorization functionality.
The importance of timely upgrades is emphasized, as attackers could exploit this flaw to gain access to sensitive data within the affected systems.
The advisory was brought to light by Stefan Miklosovic, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the open-source community in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities.
For further details, security teams and database administrators can refer to the official Apache Cassandra website and the CVE record for CVE-2025-24860.
As organizations continue to rely on robust database solutions like Apache Cassandra, maintaining diligent security practices is essential.
Regular updates and audits of access controls can help mitigate the risks associated with such vulnerabilities, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and the integrity of system operations.
Users are encouraged to stay informed about security developments and engage with the broader open-source community in discussions surrounding best practices for database security.
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