Home/CVE/When an Apache CloudStack user-account creates a CKS-based Kubernetes cluster in a project, the API key and the secret k
CVE

CVE-2025-26521

When an Apache CloudStack user-account creates a CKS-based Kubernetes cluster in a project, the API key and the secret k

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.

HIGH · CVSS 8.1 EPSS 0.00247
Schedule remediation
  • CVSS base score ≥ 7.0
Sigma rules0 YARA rules0

Affected Products & Versions

2
apache cloudstack>= 4.17.0.0 and < 4.19.3.0
apache cloudstack>= 4.20.0.0 and < 4.20.1.0

Scoring & Timeline

8.1
HIGH · CVSS v3.1 · security@apache.org
View on NVD
Attack Vector
Network Adjacent Local Physical
Attack Complexity
Low High
Privileges Required
None Low High
User Interaction
None Required
Scope
Unchanged Changed
Confidentiality
None Low High
Integrity
None Low High
Availability
None Low High
Published to NVD10 Jun 2025 · 11:15 PM
CVSS VectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
SSVC triage · cisa-vulnrichment
Exploitation
none
Automatable
no
Technical impact
total
SSVC asks the questions that actually drive patch urgency: is it being exploited, can attacks be automated, and how total is the impact.
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References & Sources

3
Source URLs (vendor pages, mailing lists, write-ups). Exploit/PoC links are in their own section above to avoid duplication.
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