Hitachi Vantara Pentaho BA Server Special Element Injection Vulnerability (CVE-2022-43769)

Hitachi Vantara Pentaho BA Server contains a special element injection vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject Spring templates into properties files, allowing for arbitrary command execution.

Published Apr 3, 2023 · Updated May 29, 2026

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Why patchRisk explained in plain English

Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2025-03-24 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-74) (CWE-74) vulnerability in Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics (BA) Server. Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics Server prior to versions 9.4.0.1 and 9.3.0.2, including 8.3.x allow certain web services to set property values which contain Spring templates that are interpreted downstream. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●IT Security

●Running vantara pentaho business analytics server: 8.3.0.0 ≤ v < 9.3.0.2, 9.4.0.0

Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172296/Pentaho-Business-Server-Authentication-Bypass-SSTI-Code-Execution.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

Vendor advisory: https://support.pentaho.com/hc/en-us/articles/14455561548301--Resolved-Pentaho-BA-Server-Failure-to-Sanitize-Special-Elements-into-a-Different-Plane-Special-Element-Injection-Versions-before-9-4-0-1-and-9-3-0-2-including-8-3-x-Impacted-CVE-2022-43769

NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-43769

CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-43769

PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2022-43769 ↗ Advisory