CVE-2025-68390: X pack core Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2025-68390 is a MODERATE (CVSS 4.9) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling) affecting X pack core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves elasticsearch privileged authenticated users can cause dos through excessive resource allocation. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 8.19.8, 9.1.8, 9.2.2.
CVE-2025-68390 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 4.9
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2025-68390
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected X pack core dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.elasticsearch.plugin</groupId>
<artifactId>x-pack-core</artifactId>
<version>8.19.8</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.elasticsearch.plugin</groupId>
<artifactId>x-pack-core</artifactId>
<version>9.1.8</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.elasticsearch.plugin</groupId>
<artifactId>x-pack-core</artifactId>
<version>9.2.2</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.elasticsearch.pluginHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2025-68390, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.elasticsearch.pluginAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of X pack core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 8.19.8), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.elasticsearch.plugin command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, where the product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any intended restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated. In X pack core, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2025-68390 Affected X pack core Versions
3 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core
|
Maven |
< 8.19.8
|
8.19.8
|
|
org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core
|
Maven |
< 9.1.8
≥ 9.0.0
|
9.1.8
|
|
org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core
|
Maven |
≥ 9.2.0
< 9.2.2
|
9.2.2
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2025-68390?
Which X pack core versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2025-68390?
Is x-pack-core affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-68390?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2025-68390?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2025-68390?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-gphj-4h6p-37xq",
"modified" : "2025-12-19T21:07:24Z",
"published" : "2025-12-19T00:31:42Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2025-68390" ],
"summary" : "Elasticsearch privileged authenticated users can cause DoS through Excessive Resource Allocation ",
"details" : "Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling (CWE-770) in Elasticsearch can allow an authenticated user with snapshot restore privileges to cause Excessive Allocation (CAPEC-130) of memory and a denial of service (DoS) via crafted HTTP request.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "8.19.8"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "9.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "9.1.8"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "9.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "9.2.2"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68390"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/pull/138132"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://discuss.elastic.co/t/elasticsearch-8-19-8-9-1-8-and-9-2-2-security-update-esa-2025-37/384185"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-770" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2025-12-19T21:07:24Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2025-12-18T23:15:49Z"
}
}