A critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-3248) in Langflow is being actively exploited to deploy the Flodrix botnet, which enables attackers to perform DDoS attacks and exfiltrate sensitive data. The Flodrix malware uses sophisticated evasion techniques and is distributed through malicious Python payloads targeting vulnerable Langflow servers. #CVE20253248 #Flodrix
Keypoints
- The vulnerability CVE-2025-3248 in Langflow allows unauthenticated remote code execution on versions prior to 1.3.0 via the /api/v1/validate/code endpoint.
- Flodrix botnet malware is deployed through malicious Python payloads to compromised Langflow servers, facilitating DDoS attacks and data theft.
- Attackers use tools like Shodan for reconnaissance and leverage publicly available proof-of-concept exploits to access vulnerable systems.
- Flodrix employs stealth methods such as self-deletion, string obfuscation, and process forking with deceptive names to evade detection.
- Over 1,600 internet-exposed Langflow instances have been identified, presenting significant risk to organizations using this AI framework.
- Mitigation requires upgrading Langflow to version 1.3.0 or later, enforcing authentication, and restricting public access to vulnerable endpoints.
- The Flodrix botnet is an evolution of the LeetHozer malware family, supporting multiple DDoS modes and stealthy operational behaviors.
MITRE Techniques
- [T1203] Exploitation for Client Execution – Attackers exploit the CVE-2025-3248 vulnerability in Langflow to execute arbitrary Python code remotely via a crafted POST request (‘/api/v1/validate/code endpoint allowing execution of arbitrary Python code’).
- [T1083] File and Directory Discovery – Reconnaissance commands such as ‘whoami’, ‘printenv’, and ‘ip addr show’ are used post-exploitation to gather system information (‘Reconnaissance commands… to gather system information’).
- [T1105] Ingress Tool Transfer – A downloader script named “docker” is used to fetch and install the Flodrix botnet malware from remote servers over TCP or Tor (‘…a downloader script, often named “docker,” deployed to fetch and install Flodrix’).
- [T1027] Obfuscated Files or Information – Flodrix uses XOR-based string obfuscation to hide command-and-control addresses (‘…employs XOR-based string obfuscation to conceal C&C addresses’).
- [T1106] Execution through API – The vulnerability permits unauthenticated remote code execution through the Langflow API endpoint (‘…/api/v1/validate/code endpoint, which fails to enforce input validation or sandboxing…’).
- [T1070] Indicator Removal on Host – The malware deletes itself and forensic artifacts to avoid detection (‘…self-deletes unless specific parameters are provided, removes forensic artifacts’).
- [T1053] Scheduled Task/Job – Flodrix forks child processes with deceptive names to evade detection (‘…forks child processes with deceptive names to evade detection’).
Indicators of Compromise
- [File Hashes] Flodrix malware samples identified by PolySwarm – AB0F9774CA88994091DB0AE328D98F45034F653BD34E4F5E85679A972D3A039C, C2BCDD6E3CC82C4C4DB6AAF8018B8484407A3E3FCE8F60828D2087B2568ECCA4, and 14 more hashes.
- [File Name] Downloader script – malicious downloader often named “docker” used to install Flodrix botnet onto compromised systems.
- [Network Artifact] Use of command-and-control servers over TCP or the Tor network to control infected systems and coordinate attacks.
Read more: https://blog.polyswarm.io/threat-actors-exploit-cve-2025-3248-to-deliver-flodrix-botnet