Apache Pinot Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Authentication

A significant security vulnerability affecting Apache Pinot, an open-source distributed data store designed for real-time analytics, has been publicly disclosed.

The flaw, identified as CVE-2024-56325, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication on vulnerable installations, posing a critical threat to affected systems.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements in URIs handled by the AuthenticationFilter class.

According to Zero Day Initiative reports, the flaw enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms due to insufficient validation or sanitization of certain characters.

This means that authentication is not required to exploit the vulnerability, which significantly lowers the barrier for potential attackers.

The vulnerability has been assessed a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating its severity.

With attack vector listed as AV:N, exploitation can be achieved remotely over a network without requiring any privileges or user interaction.

Successful exploitation could grant attackers access to sensitive information and enable them to manipulate or disrupt affected systems. The vulnerability impacts versions of Apache Pinot prior to 1.3.0.

Technical Overview

• Vulnerability Class: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Authentication
• Exploitable Component: AuthenticationFilter class
• Impact: Authentication bypass, unauthorized access
• Affected Versions: Apache Pinot prior to 1.3.0
• Patched Version: Apache Pinot 1.3.0

The vulnerability was initially reported to Apache on July 16, 2024, by Sunflower@Knownsec 404 Team, a known cybersecurity research group.

A coordinated public advisory was released on March 3, 2025, alongside the availability of a fixed version to address the issue.

Apache Pinot developers have since rectified the flaw in version 1.3.0, urging users to immediately update their systems to prevent potential exploitation.

Key Dates:

• 2024-07-16: Vulnerability reported to Apache
• 2025-03-03: Public disclosure and advisory update

Mitigation and Recommendations

Users running Apache Pinot are strongly advised to upgrade to version 1.3.0 or later, as earlier versions are susceptible to this authentication bypass vulnerability.

Additionally, organizations should review their system logs for any signs of anomalous activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

To stay protected against future risks, routine monitoring of vulnerabilities, timely application of patches, and strong network security practices are strongly recommended.

This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of robust input validation in authentication mechanisms for software systems, especially those used in enterprise environments for sensitive data analytics.

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