Overview
A security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-54057, has been discovered in Apache SkyWalking. This vulnerability is classified as a Basic Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue due to improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in a web page. This issue affects Apache SkyWalking versions up to and including 10.2.0.
Technical Details
CVE-2025-54057 describes a Basic XSS vulnerability within Apache SkyWalking. Specifically, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input when rendering web pages. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into a SkyWalking web page, which could be executed in the context of a user’s browser. The root cause lies in insufficient validation and encoding of user-provided data before displaying it within the application’s web interface. By injecting malicious HTML tags, including <script> tags, attackers can potentially steal sensitive information, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform other malicious actions on behalf of the victim.
CVSS Analysis
Currently, a CVSS score has not been assigned to CVE-2025-54057 (N/A). However, due to the nature of XSS vulnerabilities, it’s crucial to apply the necessary mitigations. Even a basic XSS vulnerability can be exploited to cause significant harm, especially if it affects administrative users.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of this XSS vulnerability could have the following consequences:
- Data Theft: An attacker could potentially steal session cookies or other sensitive information stored in the user’s browser.
- Account Takeover: By stealing session cookies, an attacker may be able to impersonate a legitimate user and gain unauthorized access to their account.
- Redirection to Phishing Sites: Users could be redirected to malicious websites designed to steal their credentials or install malware.
- Defacement: The SkyWalking web interface could be defaced, causing reputational damage.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The recommended solution to address CVE-2025-54057 is to upgrade Apache SkyWalking to version 10.3.0 or later. This version includes a fix that properly sanitizes user input, preventing the injection of malicious script-related HTML tags.
- Backup: Before upgrading, create a backup of your current SkyWalking installation and database.
- Download: Download Apache SkyWalking version 10.3.0 from the official Apache SkyWalking website.
- Upgrade: Follow the official SkyWalking upgrade instructions to upgrade your installation. Refer to the documentation for your specific deployment environment.
- Verification: After upgrading, verify that the vulnerability has been mitigated by testing the application with various inputs.
