OpenRefine vulnerable to arbitrary file read in project import with mysql jdbc url attack
Summary
An arbitrary file read vulnerability allows any unauthenticated user to read the file on the server._
Details
Hi,Team, i find openrefine support to import data from database,When use mysql jdbc to connect to database,It is vulnerable to jdbc url attacks,for example,unauthenticated attacker can read the file on the server. There are some differences in utilization depending on the version of the mysql-connector dependency on the server side.
- mysql-connector-java version > 8.14
The default value of
allowLoadLocalInfileon the server side is false in this case.We need to manually set this value to true in the connection string.
Since the way to get the databaseurl incom/google/refine/extension/database/mysql/MySQLConnectionManager.javais to splice the individual configurations directly, we can set theallowLoadLocalInfileparameter after the other parameters(for example thedatabaseNameparameter ).


- mysql-connector-java version <= 8.14
The default value of
allowLoadLocalInfileon the server side is true in this case.so wo don't need do anything,Just connect to our malicious server.
PoC
env:
centos 7
openrefine 3.7.4
jdk11
mysql-connector-java version 8.30.0
you can use the tool https://github.com/4ra1n/mysql-fake-server to running a malicious mysql server.

for example,to read the /etc/passwd file.
set the username to base64ZmlsZXJlYWRfL2V0Yy9wYXNzd2Q= and Database name to test?allowLoadLocalInfile=true# (for mysql-connector-java version <= 8.14,just setting the database name normally) and test to connect your malicious mysql server.
you can get the file in your fake-server-files directory.

Impact
An arbitrary file read vulnerability allows any unauthenticated user to read the file on the server._
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.openrefine:database | < 3.7.5 | 3.7.5 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-89- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.openrefine:database- Disclosed
- 12.09.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-qqh2-wvmv-h72m - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.openrefine:database
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 4
- First → latest
- 09.2023 10.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 3
Disclosures per year
- 2023: 2
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
OpenRefine vulnerable to arbitrary file read in project import with mysql jdbc url attack this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.