Critical MITRE Caldera Vulnerability Enables Remote Code Execution Attacks

A critical vulnerability has been discovered in MITRE Caldera, an adversary emulation platform, allowing attackers to execute remote code through improper compilation parameter handling. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-27364, carries the highest possible CVSS score of 10.0 and affects versions up to 4.2.0 and 5.0.0, putting organizations at significant risk of system compromise.

Key Takeaways:

• Critical vulnerability CVE-2025-27364 enables remote code execution in MITRE Caldera
• Affects versions up to 4.2.0 and 5.0.0, with patch available in version 5.1.0+
• Exploitation occurs through malicious compilation parameters in the server API
• Risk of complete system compromise and unauthorized access
• Immediate patching and network segmentation recommended for mitigation

Understanding the Vulnerability

The remote code execution vulnerability stems from improper handling of compilation parameters in MITRE Caldera’s server API. Attackers can exploit CWE-78: OS Command Injection by sending specially crafted requests during agent compilation and deployment processes. This security flaw allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the target server through the misuse of gcc -extldflags parameters.

Impact Assessment

The vulnerability’s impact is particularly severe given MITRE Caldera’s role in cybersecurity testing and adversary emulation. Organizations using affected versions face risks including:

• Unauthorized system access and control
• Data theft and exfiltration
• Lateral movement across networks
• Potential exploitation chain with CVE-2024-34331

Technical Exploitation Details

The exploitation method involves targeting the Caldera server API through specially crafted requests. According to Integrity360’s analysis, attackers can leverage the gcc -extldflags parameter to inject malicious commands during the agent compilation process. The existence of a proof-of-concept demonstration using curl requests emphasizes the immediate risk to unpatched systems.

Mitigation Steps

To protect against this critical vulnerability, organizations should implement these essential measures:

• Update to MITRE Caldera version 5.1.0+ or apply commit 35bc06e
• Restrict server access to trusted IP addresses
• Monitor system logs for suspicious activities
• Implement strict network segmentation

Future Implications

This vulnerability highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting security tools. As noted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, the weaponization of CVEs poses a growing risk to organizations. Recent advancements in AI security measures can help organizations better detect and respond to such critical security threats.