HIGH CVSS 8.1
Published: 2025-06-10

CVE-2025-26521

apache cloudstack Security Advisory (CVE-2025-26521)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2025-26521 impacting apache cloudstack. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 8.1 (HIGH).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
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.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
Low (PR:L)
Standard user access required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
High (I:H)
Total modification of target system
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product apache / cloudstack
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-200

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2025-26521 impacting apache cloudstack.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2025-26521.yaml
id: cve-2025-26521

info:
  name: apache cloudstack - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: high
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2025-26521 affecting apache cloudstack.
    Evaluation: When an Apache CloudStack user-account creates a CKS-based Kubernetes cluster in a project, the API key and the secret key of the &#x27;kubeadmin&#x27...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2025-26521
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
    cvss-score: 8.1
    cve-id: CVE-2025-26521
    cwe-id: CWE-200
  tags: cve,cve-2025-26521,apache,cloudstack,high

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "cloudstack"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2025-26521.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2025-26521
# Target: apache cloudstack | CVSS: 8.1 (HIGH)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2025-26521 (apache cloudstack)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against apache cloudstack scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2025-26521.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2025-26521
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install cloudstack 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade cloudstack 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update cloudstack

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i cloudstack 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i cloudstack

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2025-26521 in apache cloudstack?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update apache cloudstack packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2025-26521?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2025-26521?

CVE-2025-26521 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 8.1 (HIGH). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
8.1
HIGH SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2025-26521
Weakness CWE-200
Vendor apache
Product cloudstack
Published 2025-06-10
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N