CVE-2025-24016

An unsafe deserialization vulnerability allows for remote code execution on Wazuh servers.
The vulnerability can be triggered by anybody with API access (compromised dashboard or Wazuh servers in the cluster) or, in certain configurations, even by a compromised agent.

Details

DistributedAPI parameters are a serialized as JSON and deserialized using as_wazuh_object (in framework/wazuh/core/cluster/common.py). If an attacker manages to inject an unsanitized dictionary in DAPI request/response, they can forge an unhandled exception (__unhandled_exc__) to evaluate arbitrary python code.

Using the server API, it quite easy to trigger. For example, using the run_as endpoint (implemented by run_as_login in api/api/controllers/security_controller.py): the auth_context argument is completely controlled by the attacker, and is forwarded to the master server to handle. By sending a malicious run_as request to a worker server, it is possible to execute code on the master server.

It is also possible to exploit the bug as a compromised agent, in certain configurations.
A compromised agent can respond to a getconfig request with a malicious JSON object (containing a serialized unhandled exception). If the getconfig request was caused because of a server API request to /agents/{agent_id}/config/{component}/{configuration} (api.controllers.agent_controller.get_agent_config), and the agent is managed by a server other than the one that received the server API request, the unsafe deserialization will occur on the server that received the original server API request.

user          server A              server B         agent
  |               |                     |             |
  | -get-config-> |                     |             |
  |               | --get-config-dapi-> |             |
  |               |                     | --getconf-> |
  |               |                     | <-payload-- |
  |               X <-----payload------ |             |
  |               |                     |             |

It is likely that there are more ways to reach the unsafe deserialization function (as_wazuh_object), some of them might even be accessible from different contexts (without credentials, or initiated by a compromised agent). I suggest fixing the root cause instead of attempting to sanitize inputs that reach it. Note that there are multiple other ways to execute arbitrary code in as_wazuh_object, easier by using a __callable__, or potentially abusing callable gadgets in exception, wresults or Wazuh.

PoC

To trigger using the server API (assuming default credentials):

curl -X POST -k -u "wazuh-wui:MyS3cr37P450r.*-" -H "Content-Type: application/json" --data '{"__unhandled_exc__":{"__class__": "exit", "__args__": []}}' https://<worker-server>:55000/security/user/authenticate/run_as

this will shut down the master server.

This is a remote code execution on Wazuh server, affecting the latest version (v4.9.0 at this time)

Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect. Typical impact: arbitrary code execution or logic abuse.

CVE-2025-24016 has a CVSS score of 9.9 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (4.9.1); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

1. What is CVE-2025-24016? CVE-2025-24016 is a critical-severity insecure deserialization vulnerability in github.com/wazuh/wazuh (go), affecting versions >= 4.4.0, < 4.9.1. It is fixed in 4.9.1. Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect.
2. How severe is CVE-2025-24016? CVE-2025-24016 has a CVSS score of 9.9 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of github.com/wazuh/wazuh are affected by CVE-2025-24016? github.com/wazuh/wazuh (go) versions >= 4.4.0, < 4.9.1 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2025-24016? Yes. CVE-2025-24016 is fixed in 4.9.1. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2025-24016 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2025-24016 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2025-24016 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2025-24016? Upgrade github.com/wazuh/wazuh to 4.9.1 or later.