CVE-2024-56325 Scanner

Apache Pinot is a real-time distributed OLAP datastore, widely used for low-latency analytics on large-scale datasets. It is often used by organizations for powering real-time dashboards, anomaly detection systems, and monitoring platforms. The software supports integration with various data sources and works well in cloud-native environments. Apache Pinot is commonly deployed in enterprise settings for analyzing user interaction data, application logs, and metrics at scale. Its performance and scalability make it a popular choice for both startups and large organizations. The platform’s security mechanisms are essential to ensure protection against unauthorized access to administrative endpoints.

This scanner identifies a critical vulnerability in Apache Pinot that allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms. The flaw lies within the AuthenticationFilter class and is caused by improper neutralization of special characters in URIs. As a result, remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to administrative functionalities. Exploitation requires crafting a specific request containing a semicolon (“;”) in the URI path, which misleads the authentication logic. This vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially in environments where Pinot is exposed to public networks. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require user interaction or valid credentials.

The vulnerability resides in how the AuthenticationFilter class handles special characters in URIs. When a semicolon is injected into the path (e.g., "/users;.") instead of a regular request ("/users"), the request bypasses access controls and grants access to authenticated endpoints. This bypass works due to improper URI sanitization and a logic flaw in request filtering. The scanner works by issuing two separate requests—one normal request to confirm restricted access, and a second modified request to verify if authentication can be bypassed. A successful exploit is confirmed when the modified request receives a 200 OK response and includes the keyword "users" in the body along with specific headers. The vulnerability affects all Apache Pinot versions prior to 1.3.0.

If successfully exploited, attackers can access and potentially manipulate sensitive data available in authenticated areas of Apache Pinot without logging in. This may include viewing or altering user data, modifying system configurations, or performing administrative actions. Such unauthorized access can lead to severe data breaches, system misuse, or exposure of sensitive analytics data. Attackers could also pivot from Pinot to other internal systems if integrated within a wider architecture. The ability to bypass authentication undermines the trust boundaries within enterprise systems. Organizations using vulnerable versions are at high risk if Pinot is exposed externally or used in a multi-tenant environment.

REFERENCES

• https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-109/
• https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-6jwp-4wvj-6597
• https://lists.apache.org/thread/ksf8qsndr1h66otkbjz2wrzsbw992r8v
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/03/27/8