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Fencer Vulns
high 8.1

CVE-2025-26521 json

Apache CloudStack: CKS cluster in project exposes user API keys

published 2025-06-10 16 mo ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2025-18065

cvss
8.1
version 3.1, CNA
cisa kev
Not listed
not in CISA's catalog
epss
0.7%
EPSS 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 53%
public exploits
0
none known

Summary

When an Apache CloudStack user-account creates a CKS-based Kubernetes cluster in a project, the API key and the secret key of the 'kubeadmin' user of the caller account are used to create the secret config in the CKS-based Kubernetes cluster. A member of the project who can access the CKS-based Kubernetes cluster, can also access the API key and secret key of the 'kubeadmin' user of the CKS cluster's creator's account. An attacker who's a member of the project can exploit this to impersonate and perform privileged actions that can result in complete compromise of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of resources owned by the creator's account.

CKS users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.19.3.0 or 4.20.1.0, which fixes this issue.Updating Existing Kubernetes Clusters in ProjectsA service account should be created for each project to provide limited access specifically for Kubernetes cluster providers and autoscaling. Follow the steps below to create a new service account, update the secret inside the cluster, and regenerate existing API and service keys:1. Create a New Service AccountCreate a new account using the role "Project Kubernetes Service Role" with the following details:

Account Name kubeadmin-<FIRST_EIGHT_CHARACTERS_OF_PROJECT_ID> First Name Kubernetes Last Name Service User Account Type 0 (Normal User) Role ID <ID_OF_SERVICE_ROLE>

2. Add the Service Account to the ProjectAdd this account to the project where the Kubernetes cluster(s) are hosted. 3. Generate API and Secret KeysGenerate API Key and Secret Key for the default user of this account. 4. Update the CloudStack Secret in the Kubernetes ClusterCreate a temporary file `/tmp/cloud-config` with the following data:    api-url = <API_URL>     # For example: <MS_URL>/client/api   api-key = <SERVICE_USER_API_KEY>   secret-key = <SERVICE_USER_SECRET_KEY>   project-id = <PROJECT_ID>

Delete the existing secret using kubectl and Kubernetes cluster config:    ./kubectl --kubeconfig kube.conf -n kube-system delete secret cloudstack-secret

Create a new secret using kubectl and Kubernetes cluster config:     ./kubectl --kubeconfig kube.conf -n kube-system create secret generic cloudstack-secret --from-file=/tmp/cloud-config

Remove the temporary file:     rm /tmp/cloud-config5. Regenerate API and Secret KeysRegenerate the API and secret keys for the original user account that was used to create the Kubernetes cluster.

Patch / fix

  • Apache Software Foundation Apache CloudStack 4.19.3.0, 4.20.1.0

CISA SSVC

Exploitation
none
Automatable
no
Technical impact
total
Assessed
16 mo ago

Exploit prediction

0.71% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 53% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).

CVSS scores

assigned by version score vector
CISA ADP 3.1 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CNA 3.1 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Affected products

  • Apache Software Foundation Apache CloudStack

Classification

Weakness
  • CWE-200 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

References

Sources

Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.

CPEs and fixed versions use Anchore's correction of NVD's data: Added CPE configurations because not yet analyzed by NVD.