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CRE-2025-0085

SpiceDB Schema Validation Failures Block Authorization UpdatesHigh
Impact: 8/10
Mitigation: 7/10

CRE-2025-0085View on GitHub

Description

Detects SpiceDB schema validation failures that prevent authorization

logic updates and deployments. These failures occur when invalid schema

definitions are submitted, including syntax errors, circular dependencies,

type conflicts, or malformed permission expressions, blocking critical

authorization system updates.


Cause

  • Invalid schema syntax in authorization definitions
  • Circular dependencies between permissions and relations
  • References to undefined relations or non-existent types
  • Malformed permission expressions with invalid operators
  • Type conflicts or duplicate relation definitions
  • Schema migration conflicts with existing data structures
  • Missing required schema elements during updates
  • Invalid caveat usage or expression syntax

Mitigation

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:

  • Identify and fix the specific schema validation error
  • Review the error message to understand the validation failure
  • Check for syntax errors, typos, or missing definitions

DEBUGGING:

  • Use SpiceDB schema validation tools to test definitions locally
  • Verify all referenced relations and types are properly defined
  • Check for circular dependencies in permission expressions
  • Validate permission expression syntax and operators

RECOVERY:

  • Fix the schema definition based on validation error messages
  • Test schema changes in development environment first
  • Use schema diffing tools to understand changes
  • Apply corrected schema definition to SpiceDB

PREVENTION:

  • Implement schema validation in CI/CD pipelines before deployment
  • Use schema linting tools to catch errors early
  • Maintain schema versioning and change documentation
  • Create automated tests for schema definitions
  • Use gradual rollout strategies for schema changes