Metabase & React2Shell CVE-2025-55182: Is Metabase Vulnerable?

This article addresses the critical question of whether Metabase, a popular open-source business intelligence tool, is vulnerable to the React2Shell vulnerability (CVE-2025-55182). This vulnerability stems from an unauthenticated remote code execution issue in React Server Components, making it crucial to assess Metabase's potential exposure. We'll delve into Metabase's architecture, its use of React and related technologies, and provide a comprehensive analysis to determine its vulnerability status.

Understanding the React2Shell Vulnerability

To understand the potential impact on Metabase, we first need to understand the React2Shell vulnerability. React2Shell, identified as CVE-2025-55182, is a significant security flaw affecting applications using React Server Components. This vulnerability allows for unauthenticated remote code execution, meaning an attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code on the server without needing any credentials. This can lead to severe consequences, including data breaches, system compromise, and denial of service. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of user input in server-side rendering processes, specifically within React Server Components.

Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests that inject arbitrary code into the server-side rendering process. This injected code can then be executed by the server, potentially granting the attacker full control over the system. Given the severity of this vulnerability, it's imperative to determine whether Metabase's architecture and technology stack make it susceptible to this type of attack. The core issue revolves around how user-supplied data is processed during the server-side rendering phase. If data isn't properly sanitized or validated, it can be exploited to inject and execute malicious code. Therefore, a thorough examination of Metabase's data handling practices, particularly in components utilizing server-side rendering, is essential to assess its vulnerability status.

Metabase and React: A Closer Look

Metabase's frontend relies heavily on React, a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. This is a crucial detail, as the React2Shell vulnerability specifically targets React Server Components. However, the extent to which Metabase utilizes React Server Components and Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is the key factor in determining its vulnerability. While Metabase's frontend leverages React for its dynamic user interface, the use of React Server Components, which are rendered on the server, is less clear. The documentation mentions Server Side Rendering (SSR) and React Server Components in the context of the SDK components, suggesting an awareness and potential compatibility with these technologies. However, the crucial question remains: are these components used in a way that exposes Metabase to the React2Shell vulnerability?

Metabase's architecture involves a backend, typically written in Clojure, and a frontend built with React. The interaction between these two components is critical to understand. The frontend sends requests to the backend, which processes data and sends it back to the frontend for rendering. If React Server Components are involved, some rendering logic would occur on the server side, potentially exposing the application to vulnerabilities if not handled carefully. Understanding the specific components that utilize SSR and how they handle user input is crucial for assessing the risk. This involves scrutinizing the code that processes data received from the backend and renders it on the server, looking for potential injection points where malicious code could be introduced. The use of Next.js, a React framework that simplifies SSR, is another factor to consider, as it may influence how React Server Components are implemented and managed within Metabase.

Examining Metabase's Use of Server-Side Rendering

According to Metabase's documentation, the **SDK components