Overview
Recently, NSFOCUS CERT detected that Elastic issued a security bulletin to fix the arbitrary code execution vulnerability caused by Elastic Kibana prototype contamination (CVE-2025-25014); Due to the prototype contamination problem in Kibana, an attacker with specific role privileges can bypass the authentication mechanism by constructing specially crafted file uploads and specific HTTP requests to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. CVSS score 9.1, please take measures to protect yourself as soon as possible.
Reference link: https://discuss.elastic.co/t/kibana-8-17-6-8-18-1-or-9-0-1-security-update-esa-2025-07/377868
Scope of Impact
Affected versions
- 8.3.0 <= Kibana <= 8.17.5
- Kibana = 8.18.0
- Kibana = 9.0.0
Note: Impacts Kibana with Machine Learning or Reporting enabled in self-hosted and Elastic Cloud deployments.
Unaffected version
- Kibana >= 8.17.6
- Kibana >= 8.18.1
- Kibana >= 9.0.1
Exposed Surface Investigation
Cloud detection
NSFOCUS’s External Attack Surface Management Service (EASM) supports Internet asset investigation of CVE-2025-25014 vulnerability risks. It has helped service customer groups complete exposure surface investigations and conduct vulnerability warnings and closed-loop disposal in a timely manner before threats occur. Interested customers can arrange detailed consultation and communication by contacting their local regional colleagues at NSFOCUS or sending an email to rs@nsfocus.com.
Tool troubleshooting
NSFOCUS Automated Penetration Testing Tool (EZ) supports Kibana’s fingerprint identification and troubleshooting. Users can directly use the web module for scanning and detection:
Tool download link: https://github.com/m-sec-org/EZ/releases
New users please register for the M-SEC community (https://msec.nsfocus.com) to apply for a certificate for use.
Mitigation
Official upgrade
At present, the official has released a new version to fix this vulnerability. Affected users are requested to upgrade their protection in time. Download link: https://github.com/elastic/kibana/releases
Temporary protective measures
If the relevant users are temporarily unable to perform upgrade operations, temporary relief can be achieved by disabling the following functions in the Kibana configuration:
1. Disable the Machine Learning function: Users of self-hosted and Elastic Cloud deployments can add xpack.ml.enabled to the kibana.yml file: False to disable the Machine Learning function; Self-hosted users can also add xpack.ml.ad.enabled to the kibana.yml file: False to disable only the anomaly detection function.
2. Disable Reporting: Users of self-hosted and Elastic Cloud deployments can disable Reporting by adding xpack.reporting.enabled: false to the kibana.yml file.
Statement
This advisory is only used to describe a potential risk. NSFOCUS does not provide any commitment or promise on this advisory. NSFOCUS and the author will not bear any liability for any direct and/or indirect consequences and losses caused by transmitting and/or using this advisory. NSFOCUS reserves all the rights to modify and interpret this advisory. Please include this statement paragraph when reproducing or transferring this advisory. Do not modify this advisory, add/delete any information to/from it, or use this advisory for commercial purposes without permission from NSFOCUS.
About NSFOCUS
NSFOCUS, a pioneering leader in cybersecurity, is dedicated to safeguarding telecommunications, Internet service providers, hosting providers, and enterprises from sophisticated cyberattacks.
Founded in 2000, NSFOCUS operates globally with over 4000 employees at two headquarters in Beijing, China, and Santa Clara, CA, USA, and over 50 offices worldwide. It has a proven track record of protecting over 25% of the Fortune Global 500 companies, including four of the five largest banks and six of the world’s top ten telecommunications companies.
Leveraging technical prowess and innovation, NSFOCUS delivers a comprehensive suite of security solutions, including the Intelligent Security Operations Platform (ISOP) for modern SOC, DDoS Protection, Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) Service and Web Application and API Protection (WAAP). All the solutions and services are augmented by the Security Large Language Model (SecLLM), ML, patented algorithms and other cutting-edge research achievements developed by NSFOCUS.
