Critical Vulnerability in Apache NiFi: Exposing MongoDB Credentials through Provenance Records

A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Apache NiFi, a popular open-source data integration tool. This flaw, labeled CVE-2025-27017, impacts versions 1.13.0 through 2.2.0 and allows attackers to access MongoDB authentication credentials stored in system provenance records. Such exposure can have serious consequences for organizations using NiFi in their workflows, especially in sensitive environments like cybersecurity pipelines, AI data flows, and observability stacks. In this article, we will break down the technical details of the vulnerability, its potential risks, and the steps that organizations can take to mitigate this threat.

the Vulnerability

Apache NiFi, which is used for automating and managing the flow of data across systems, has a serious vulnerability that allows authorized users to access sensitive MongoDB authentication credentials. This flaw arises from the way NiFi’s MongoDBControllerService component stores MongoDB credentials in cleartext within its provenance records.

Provenance records are essentially logs that track data flow and processing events in NiFi. However, these records should not contain sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. The vulnerability allows attackers with sufficient access to these records to extract the credentials, creating a potential for lateral movement within the system. Even though attackers would need some level of access to exploit this flaw (requiring read permissions for NiFi’s provenance API endpoints), the exposure of these credentials increases the likelihood of a database breach or data exfiltration.

Apache NiFi 2.3.0 has patched this issue by implementing credential redaction within the provenance records, addressing the problem in the affected versions (1.13.0 to 2.2.0). However, organizations need to take additional actions to mitigate any risk, such as upgrading to NiFi 2.3.0, rotating their MongoDB credentials, and applying stricter access controls to their NiFi workflows.

What Undercode Says:

This vulnerability in Apache NiFi exemplifies a classic security pitfall: the persistence of sensitive information in systems that should not store it. In this case, NiFi’s use of provenance records to retain MongoDB authentication credentials violates basic security best practices around credential storage and isolation. Exposing such sensitive data in a system’s logs creates a secondary attack vector, where attackers with limited access can escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to MongoDB databases.

From an organizational standpoint, this flaw is a serious concern. Organizations using NiFi to automate workflows that involve MongoDB should be particularly wary of the risk this poses, especially since MongoDB credentials are often reused across different systems and workflows. Credential reuse, when combined with poor access control, makes it easier for attackers to move laterally through a system and gain access to other sensitive data.

The flaw highlights a broader issue with the way sensitive information is handled within data flow management systems. While NiFi’s provenance logs are essential for tracking data flow and ensuring system integrity, they also serve as a treasure trove of information that can be exploited if not secured properly. Organizations must understand the importance of securing audit trails and logging systems to prevent such leaks from occurring in the first place.

Risk Assessment

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Impacted Workflows

The vulnerability specifically affects workflows that utilize MongoDB processors within NiFi. This includes processes like NoSQL database ingestion using GetMongo or PutMongo processors, as well as high-throughput data pipelines that store credentials in controller services. Workflows that rely on TLS-secured MongoDB connections, requiring SSLContextService for encryption, are also at risk.

Security teams need to conduct a thorough audit of all MongoDBControllerService instances in their environment. This audit should include reviewing and rotating any MongoDB credentials used within NiFi workflows. Since provenance data is often retained in storage subsystems, historical logs may still contain exposed credentials, even after an upgrade. Sanitizing these logs is critical to eliminating lingering risks.

Mitigation Recommendations

Immediate Upgrade: The most effective way to mitigate this vulnerability is to upgrade to Apache NiFi 2.3.0, which implements credential redaction within provenance records.
Credential Rotation: Organizations should reset all MongoDB passwords used in NiFi workflows to ensure that any exposed credentials are no longer valid.
Access Restriction: Apply the principle of least privilege to NiFi’s provenance APIs. This can be done by leveraging NiFi’s role-based access control (RBAC) to limit access to sensitive provenance data.
Log Auditing: Security teams should use tools like NiFi Registry to scan archived provenance logs for any traces of credential leakage.

This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the risks associated with storing sensitive credentials in system logs. While NiFi’s maintainers have addressed the core issue, it is essential for organizations to take a holistic approach to securing their data flows, including adopting best practices for credential management, such as encrypted storage and certificate-based authentication.

Fact Checker Results

The CVE-2025-27017 vulnerability is a real issue that impacts versions 1.13.0 through 2.2.0 of Apache NiFi.
NiFi 2.3.0 has indeed addressed the vulnerability by implementing credential redaction.
The recommended mitigation steps, including upgrading NiFi and rotating credentials, are accurate and crucial for securing affected workflows.