Chef Automate - SQLi (CVE-2025-8868)

CVE-2025-8868 is a critical vulnerability in Progress Chef Automate versions prior to 4.13.295 on Linux x86, where an authenticated attacker can exploit improperly neutralized SQL inputs to access restricted compliance service functionality. This flaw could be leveraged to perform privilege escalation or unauthorized actions within the application, posing a significant risk to data integrity and system security.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 15th of October 2025.

CrowdSec network observations suggest that most exploitation of CVE-2025-8868 involves focused reconnaissance to identify viable targets. Attackers typically tailor their campaigns based on system exposure and configuration. It is unlikely that a given attack is accidental. CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2025-8868 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit the /api/v0/compliance/profiles/search endpoint by injecting malicious SQL payloads into the filters field of POST requests, often using a well-known token in the x-data-collector-token header to bypass authentication.