OpenRefine leaks Google API credentials in releases
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-522.
Summary
### Impact OpenRefine releases contain Google API authentication keys ("client id" and "client secret") which can be extracted from released artifacts. For instance, download the package for OpenRefine 3.8.2 on linux. It contains the file `openrefine-3.8.2/webapp/extensions/gdata/module/MOD-INF/lib/openrefine-gdata.jar`, which can be extracted. This archive then contains the file `com/google/refine/extension/gdata/GoogleAPIExtension.java`, which contains the following lines: ```java // For a production release, the second parameter (default value) can be set // for the following three properties (client_id, client_secret, and API key) to // the production values from the Google API console private static final String CLIENT_ID = System.getProperty("ext.gdata.clientid", new String(Base64.getDecoder().decode("ODk1NTU1ODQzNjMwLWhkZWwyN3NxMDM5ZjFwMmZ0aGE2M2VvcWFpY2JwamZoLmFwcHMuZ29vZ2xldXNlcmNvbnRlbnQuY29t"))); private static final String CLIENT_SECRET = System.getProperty("ext.gdata.clientsecret", new String(Base64.getDecoder().decode("R2V2TnZiTnA2a3IxeDd5c3VZNENmYlNo"))); ``` The Base64 encoding can then be decoded to obtain the client id and client secret. Those credentials can then be used by other applications to request access to Google accounts, pretending they are OpenRefine. This assumes that they also get access to the user access tokens, which this vulnerability doesn't expose by itself. ### Patches The bundled credentials should be revoked. ### Workarounds Users should revoke access to their Google account if they have connected it to OpenRefine.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | org.openrefine:openrefine (Maven) | before 3.8.3 | 3.8.3 | Patch available | GHSA-3pg4-qwc8-426r |
- org.openrefine:openrefine (Maven) Vendor— Affected before 3.8.3 Fixed in 3.8.3 Patch available GHSA-3pg4-qwc8-426r
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-3pg4-qwc8-426r org.openrefine:openrefine (Maven) Fixed in 3.8.3 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-3pg4-qwc8-426r
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences