Boto3 Vulnerability Alert: CVE-2025-50181 And Urllib3

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Boto3 Vulnerability Alert: CVE-2025-50181 and Urllib3

Hey guys, let's dive into a critical security alert concerning the boto3-1.40.63-py3-none-any.whl library. This package has a vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-50181, which impacts the urllib3 dependency. This information comes from a scan within the Jason-Clark-FG/OpenMetadata-FG project. We'll break down the issue, its impact, and what you need to do to address it. Understanding and addressing this will help you keep your projects secure.

Overview of the Vulnerability

The vulnerability, CVE-2025-50181, is associated with the urllib3-1.26.20-py2.py3-none-any.whl library, which is a dependency of boto3. urllib3 is a Python HTTP client library used for making HTTP requests and managing connections. The vulnerability stems from how urllib3 handles redirects. Specifically, versions prior to 2.5.0 allow for the disabling of redirects in a way that can leave applications vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) or open redirect attacks, even when attempts are made to mitigate such risks by disabling redirects at the PoolManager level. This means that if you're using an older version of urllib3 and trying to prevent malicious redirects, you might still be exposed to these security threats. The issue is mitigated in version 2.5.0, where the underlying cause is correctly addressed.

It's important to know that boto3 itself isn't directly vulnerable, but because it relies on urllib3, it inherits the vulnerability. The path to the vulnerable library in the project structure is /tmp/ws-ua_20251031082937_KHHFYG/python_JIYFYD/202510310829391/env/lib/python3.9/site-packages/urllib3-1.26.20.dist-info. This indicates where the vulnerable version of urllib3 is located within the project's environment.

Impact and Severity

The severity of this vulnerability is rated as Medium, and it has a CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) score of 5.3. The CVSS score helps us understand the potential impact of the vulnerability. The attack vector is through the network. The vulnerability's attack complexity is high, meaning that it is moderately difficult to exploit. It requires low privileges, meaning minimal permissions are needed to exploit the vulnerability. There's no user interaction needed, so an attacker can exploit the vulnerability without requiring the user to do anything. The confidentiality impact is High, but the integrity and availability impacts are None. This means an attacker could potentially steal sensitive information. This vulnerability is present in the boto3 package due to a transitive dependency on urllib3, and it's essential to address this to protect against potential security breaches.

Detailed Vulnerability Information

Vulnerable Library: urllib3-1.26.20-py2.py3-none-any.whl

urllib3 is a fundamental HTTP client library in Python, providing essential functionalities like thread-safe connection pooling and file posting. The specific version found to be vulnerable is urllib3-1.26.20. This version is susceptible to the vulnerability because of the way it handles redirects. The vulnerability allows for SSRF or open redirect attacks if redirects are improperly handled.

The library's home page is at https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/33/cf/8435d5a7159e2a9c83a95896ed596f68cf798005fe107cc655b5c5c14704/urllib3-1.26.20-py2.py3-none-any.whl.

Dependency Hierarchy

The dependency hierarchy shows how boto3 uses urllib3. Here's a simplified view:

  • boto3-1.40.63-py3-none-any.whl (Root Library)
    • botocore-1.40.63-py3-none-any.whl
      • :x: urllib3-1.26.20-py2.py3-none-any.whl (Vulnerable Library)

This hierarchy highlights that urllib3 is a transitive dependency of boto3, meaning boto3 indirectly uses urllib3 through botocore. This transitive relationship is crucial because it shows how a vulnerability in urllib3 affects the boto3 package.

Vulnerability Details

The core issue is in how urllib3 handles redirects, potentially allowing attackers to exploit vulnerabilities like SSRF or open redirects. The fix is available in urllib3 version 2.5.0, which properly addresses the redirect handling issue. The publish date of this vulnerability is 2025-06-19. Further details can be found at the URL: https://www.mend.io/vulnerability-database/CVE-2025-50181. The CVSS 3 score is 5.3, with the exploitability metrics indicating a network-based attack with high complexity. This means it requires specific conditions to be exploited, but once exploited, it can lead to high confidentiality impacts.

Remediation and Recommendations

Upgrade urllib3

The recommended solution is to upgrade the urllib3 library to version 2.5.0 or later. This version contains the necessary fixes to mitigate the vulnerability. Since urllib3 is a dependency of boto3, updating it will ensure that the underlying issue is resolved. You can do this by updating your project's dependencies using pip: pip install --upgrade urllib3.

Verifying the Fix

After upgrading urllib3, verify that the fix has been applied. You can do this by checking the version of urllib3 installed in your environment. You can also run your project's security scans again to ensure that the vulnerability is no longer detected. This step is critical to confirm that the remediation was successful.

Keeping Dependencies Updated

Regularly updating dependencies is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. This incident underscores the importance of regularly scanning and updating your project's dependencies to address any newly discovered vulnerabilities. Consider integrating automated security scans into your CI/CD pipeline to catch vulnerabilities early in the development cycle. Also, enable automated updates where appropriate to ensure that you are always running the latest and most secure versions of your dependencies.

Mitigation Strategies

While upgrading urllib3 is the primary recommendation, you can also consider implementing additional security measures to mitigate risks. These include:

  • Input Validation: Validate all user inputs to prevent malicious data from reaching your application.
  • Output Encoding: Properly encode all outputs to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

By taking these steps, you can significantly enhance the security posture of your project.

Conclusion

The CVE-2025-50181 vulnerability in urllib3, which impacts boto3 through its dependency chain, is a serious concern. By understanding the vulnerability, its potential impact, and the steps required for remediation, you can effectively protect your projects. Always ensure you're using the latest versions of your dependencies and incorporate security best practices into your development workflow to minimize risks.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. Stay safe and secure, folks!