CVE-2025-54057
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache SkyWalking where malicious script tags can be injected into web pages. It affects all Apache SkyWalking installations running version 10.2.0 or earlier. Attackers could execute arbitrary JavaScript in users' browsers when they visit compromised SkyWalking pages.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apache SkyWalking
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, redirect to malicious sites, or install malware on client systems.
Likely Case
Session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of SkyWalking web interface pages.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper Content Security Policy (CSP) headers are implemented and input validation is enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Basic XSS vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity. No public exploit code has been identified in the provided references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 10.3.0
Vendor Advisory: https://lists.apache.org/thread/sl2x2tx8y007x0mo746yddx2lvnv9tcr
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Apache SkyWalking 10.3.0 from official sources. 2. Stop the SkyWalking service. 3. Backup configuration and data. 4. Replace installation with version 10.3.0. 5. Restore configuration if needed. 6. Start the service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution and mitigate XSS impact
Add to web server config: Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'
Web Application Firewall Rules
allConfigure WAF to block XSS patterns in SkyWalking requests
Configure WAF to block patterns like <script>, javascript:, onload=, etc.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict network access to SkyWalking web interface to trusted IPs only
- Disable SkyWalking web interface if not required and use API-only access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SkyWalking version via web interface or configuration files. If version is 10.2.0 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check web interface footer or examine skywalking-agent/config/agent.config for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
After upgrade, confirm version is 10.3.0 or later and test XSS payloads are properly sanitized.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual script tags in HTTP requests
- JavaScript payloads in URL parameters
- Multiple failed XSS attempts
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing <script> tags to SkyWalking endpoints
- Unusual JavaScript in POST data
SIEM Query:
source="skywalking" AND (http_request:*<script>* OR http_request:*javascript:* OR http_request:*onload=*)