Overview
In this blog post, we are going to discuss a potentially serious security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3260. This vulnerability is found in the /apis/dashboard.grafana.app/* endpoints and affects all API versions. The exploit allows authenticated users to bypass dashboard and folder permissions, enabling them to view, edit, or delete dashboards/folders without the necessary permissions. This vulnerability does not only impact the system’s integrity but also poses a threat to data confidentiality. Therefore, understanding the nature of this vulnerability, its potential impact, and possible mitigation steps is crucial for all organizations utilizing Grafana’s APIs.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-3260
Severity: High (8.3 CVSS score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage due to bypassing of dashboard and folder permissions
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Product | Affected Versions
Grafana API Endpoints | v0alpha1, v1alpha1, v2alpha1
How the Exploit Works
The exploit works by manipulating the API requests sent to the /apis/dashboard.grafana.app/* endpoints. Authenticated users, including viewers, editors, and anonymous users with viewer/editor roles, can utilize the exploit to bypass dashboard and folder permissions. This allows them to view, edit, delete, and create dashboards/folders without having the required permissions. However, it’s worth noting that the vulnerability does not affect organization isolation boundaries and does not grant access to datasources.
Conceptual Example Code
Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited in an HTTP request:
GET /apis/dashboard.grafana.app/v1alpha1/dashboards HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Authorization: Bearer <token>
{ }In this example, an attacker who has obtained an authentication token can send a GET request to view all the dashboards, bypassing the restrictions set in place. It’s important to note that this is a simplified example, and real-world exploitation may involve more complex methods and payload configurations.
Mitigation Guidance
To mitigate this vulnerability, vendors have released patches that should be applied promptly. If you cannot apply the patch immediately, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation. However, these measures are not a permanent solution and can only serve as a stopgap until you can apply the vendor’s patch. It’s also recommended to regularly review and tighten your dashboard and folder permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.