CVE-2025-55010
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-55010 is an unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Kanboard that allows admin users to execute arbitrary PHP code by manipulating event data. This can lead to remote code execution via web shell deployment. Only Kanboard instances prior to version 1.2.47 with admin users are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Kanboard
📦 What is this software?
Kanboard by Kanboard
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Web shell deployment leading to unauthorized file access, data manipulation, and potential privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls, but still allows admin-level code execution within the application context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin credentials but is straightforward once authenticated. PHP gadget chains make exploitation reliable.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2.47
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard/security/advisories/GHSA-359x-c69j-q64r
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your Kanboard installation and database. 2. Download version 1.2.47 from the official repository. 3. Replace all files with the new version. 4. Restart your web server. 5. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Admin Access
allLimit admin user accounts to only essential personnel and implement strong authentication controls.
File System Monitoring
linuxMonitor the /plugins directory for unauthorized file creation using file integrity monitoring tools.
# Example for Linux using auditd
sudo auditctl -w /var/www/kanboard/plugins -p wa -k kanboard_plugins
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls for admin accounts and monitor admin activity logs
- Deploy web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious serialization payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check your Kanboard version by viewing the footer in the web interface or examining the app/constants.php file for version information.Check Version:
grep "define('APP_VERSION'" /path/to/kanboard/app/constants.phpVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the version shows 1.2.47 or higher in the web interface footer or constants.php file.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual admin activity modifying project_activities table
- Suspicious PHP object instantiation in application logs
- File creation events in /plugins directory
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from the Kanboard server
- HTTP requests to newly created plugin files
SIEM Query:
source="kanboard_logs" AND (event="project_activity_update" AND user_role="admin") OR (path="/plugins/*.php" AND action="create")🔗 References
- https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard/blob/b033c0e0f982f8158e240bce8ab54c29727f8efe/app/Formatter/ProjectActivityEventFormatter.php#L43-L57
- https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard/commit/7148ac092e5db6b33e0fc35e04bca328d96c1f6f
- https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard/security/advisories/GHSA-359x-c69j-q64r
- https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard/security/advisories/GHSA-359x-c69j-q64r
