Critical Remote Command Injection Vulnerability Discovered in Apache bRPC
A severe remote command-injection vulnerability (CVE-2025-60021) has been identified in Apache bRPC, a widely used open-source Remote Procedure Call (RPC) framework. The flaw affects all versions prior to 1.15.0 and stems from inadequate input validation in the built-in heap profiler service endpoint (/pprof/heap), which is designed for jemalloc memory profiling.
The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious command-line arguments via the extra_options parameter, enabling arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the bRPC service process. Exploitation is straightforward, as the service directly processes unsanitized user input without validation, bypassing security controls.
Organizations using Apache bRPC in distributed systems face significant risk, particularly if the heap profiler endpoint is exposed to untrusted networks or runs with elevated privileges. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement, or persistent backdoor deployment.
The Apache bRPC project has released version 1.15.0, which implements proper input validation to mitigate the flaw. Alternatively, organizations can apply a targeted security patch (GitHub pull request #3101) if immediate upgrades are not feasible. Security teams are advised to audit deployments, restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint, and monitor for suspicious activity.
The vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by researcher Simcha Kosman, with additional technical details available via the official CVE record and Apache bRPC security advisories.
Source: https://cyberpress.org/apache-brpc-vulnerability/
The Apache Software Foundation cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/the-apache-software-foundation
"id": "THE1768841873",
"linkid": "the-apache-software-foundation",
"type": "Vulnerability",
"date": "6/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Organizations using Apache bRPC '
'in distributed systems',
'industry': 'Technology/Software',
'name': 'Apache bRPC',
'type': 'Open-source software framework'}],
'attack_vector': 'Network',
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Possible (if exploited)'},
'description': 'A severe remote command-injection vulnerability '
'(CVE-2025-60021) has been identified in Apache bRPC, a widely '
'used open-source Remote Procedure Call (RPC) framework. The '
'flaw affects all versions prior to 1.15.0 and stems from '
'inadequate input validation in the built-in heap profiler '
'service endpoint (`/pprof/heap`), which is designed for '
'jemalloc memory profiling. The vulnerability allows attackers '
'to inject malicious command-line arguments via the '
'`extra_options` parameter, enabling arbitrary command '
'execution with the privileges of the bRPC service process. '
'Exploitation is straightforward, as the service directly '
'processes unsanitized user input without validation, '
'bypassing security controls.',
'impact': {'operational_impact': 'Full system compromise, lateral movement, '
'persistent backdoor deployment',
'systems_affected': 'Apache bRPC versions prior to 1.15.0'},
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Proper input validation '
'implemented in version '
'1.15.0 and security patch '
'(GitHub pull request #3101)',
'root_causes': 'Inadequate input validation in the '
'heap profiler service endpoint '
'(`/pprof/heap`)'},
'recommendations': 'Audit deployments, restrict access to the vulnerable '
'endpoint, upgrade to version 1.15.0 or apply the security '
'patch, and monitor for suspicious activity.',
'references': [{'source': 'Apache bRPC Security Advisory'},
{'source': 'CVE Record (CVE-2025-60021)'},
{'source': 'GitHub Pull Request #3101'}],
'response': {'containment_measures': 'Restrict access to the vulnerable '
'endpoint, monitor for suspicious '
'activity',
'enhanced_monitoring': 'Monitor for suspicious activity',
'remediation_measures': 'Upgrade to Apache bRPC version 1.15.0 '
'or apply security patch (GitHub pull '
'request #3101)'},
'title': 'Critical Remote Command Injection Vulnerability in Apache bRPC '
'(CVE-2025-60021)',
'type': 'Remote Command Injection',
'vulnerability_exploited': 'CVE-2025-60021 (Inadequate input validation in '
'Apache bRPC heap profiler endpoint)'}