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A newly discovered critical vulnerability in Apache Parquet’s Java Library (CVE-2025-30065) has set off alarms within the cybersecurity community. This flaw, which allows attackers to execute remote code on vulnerable systems, has now been weaponized with a proof-of-concept exploit tool. The tool, released by F5 Labs, aims to help security teams identify vulnerable servers and mitigate the risk. Here’s a breakdown of this significant flaw and how it can impact systems across various industries, especially those dealing with big data processing.
CVE-2025-30065: The Heart of the Vulnerability
Apache Parquet is a widely-used columnar storage file format optimized for large-scale data processing frameworks, including Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, and Apache Drill. In April 2025, a critical vulnerability was discovered within the Java Library of Apache Parquet, specifically in the schema parsing function of the parquet-avro module. Versions of Apache Parquet up to and including 1.15.0 are affected, with the vulnerability traced back to version 1.8.0.
This vulnerability is identified as a Deserialization of Untrusted Data issue, which allows an attacker to manipulate Parquet files to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. This flaw poses significant risks to systems importing Parquet files, especially those from untrusted sources. The remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, making it a high-severity security threat with a CVSS score of 10.0.
F5 Labs has released a tool called the “canary exploit” that demonstrates the exploit’s potential and offers a way for security teams to check if their systems are vulnerable. The exploit works by triggering object instantiation in the Java library, which causes harmful side effects such as making unsolicited network requests. The tool uses a canary URL to confirm whether the vulnerability is present, offering a quick method for testing and validating system security.
What Undercode Say:
The Apache Parquet vulnerability CVE-2025-30065 presents a multi-layered threat, particularly in data processing environments where Parquet files are used extensively. The risk, while severe, may not be as straightforward to exploit as it seems. It requires a specific combination of circumstances, including the presence of untrusted or malicious Parquet files in a system’s environment. Additionally, the vulnerability does not immediately allow full remote code execution (RCE); it can trigger a Java object instantiation that may lead to side effects like HTTP GET requests. These requests are harmful but may not immediately provide the attacker with full control of the system.
While there are no known active exploits as of April 2025, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the likelihood that malicious actors will attempt to exploit it. Attackers would need access to a vulnerable system and would have to find a way to deliver a malicious Parquet file to trigger the flaw. For organizations dealing with large-scale data processing, particularly those using Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, and Apache Flink, it is essential to be aware of this issue and take preventive measures.
F5 Labs’ release of the “canary exploit” tool is a crucial step toward helping organizations identify if they are vulnerable to this flaw. By using this tool, developers and security teams can verify whether their systems are affected and ensure that appropriate patches or mitigations have been applied. However, while this tool is an important resource, the complex nature of the vulnerability means that real-world exploitation is not a trivial task. Successful exploitation requires a very specific set of conditions to be met, including the manipulation of Parquet files, the presence of embedded Avro, and a system using the Apache Parquet Avro module to parse it.
In practice, the real-world impact of this vulnerability is still unclear. While there is a potential for serious consequences if exploited, the specific conditions required for the attack to succeed make it less likely for widespread exploitation. However, the risk remains high, and immediate action is necessary for organizations to protect their systems.
Fact Checker Results
F5 Labs has confirmed the exploit tool is effective in testing the vulnerability but not a full RCE.
No active exploitation of CVE-2025-30065 is reported as of April 2025.
The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be met before successful exploitation.
Prediction
Given the current state of CVE-2025-30065, the prediction is that widespread exploitation is unlikely in the immediate term. However, as more details about the flaw become public, the chances of targeted attacks increase. Organizations should prioritize patching vulnerable versions of Apache Parquet or implement strict validation for Parquet files from untrusted sources. In the longer term, as threat actors refine their techniques, we may see more sophisticated attacks leveraging this vulnerability. For now, proactive steps to secure big data processing systems will be key in mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2025-30065.
References:
Reported By: securityaffairs.com
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