Description
Three Bitnami Helm charts mount Kubernetes Secrets under a predictable path (/opt/bitnami/*/secrets) that is located within the web server document root. In affected versions, this can lead to unauthenticated access to sensitive credentials via HTTP/S. A remote attacker could retrieve these secrets by accessing specific URLs if the application is exposed externally. The issue affects deployments using the default value of usePasswordFiles=true, which mounts secrets as files into the container filesystem.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-22486
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability described in EUVD-2025-22486 pertains to three Bitnami Helm charts that inadvertently expose Kubernetes Secrets under a predictable path within the web server document root. This exposure can lead to unauthenticated access to sensitive credentials via HTTP/S, posing a critical risk to affected systems.
Severity Evaluation:
- Base Score: 10.0 (Critical)
- Base Score Version: CVSS 3.1
- Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
The CVSS score of 10.0 indicates the highest level of severity. The vulnerability allows for network-based attacks (AV:N) with low complexity (AC:L), requiring no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), and the scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initial security scope.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Unauthenticated Access: An attacker can access the secrets by navigating to specific URLs that correspond to the predictable path (/opt/bitnami/*/secrets).
- HTTP/S Requests: The attacker can send HTTP/S requests to the affected web server to retrieve the secrets.
Exploitation Methods:
- Direct URL Access: By knowing the predictable path, an attacker can directly access the secrets via a web browser or automated scripts.
- Automated Scanning: Attackers can use automated tools to scan for vulnerable deployments and extract secrets en masse.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects the following Bitnami Helm charts and versions:
- bitnamicharts/drupal: Versions 5.2.0 to 6.0.19
- bitnamicharts/wordpress: Versions 24.2.0 to 25.0.4
- bitnamicharts/appsmith: Versions 21.2.0 to 22.0.4
These charts are commonly used for deploying popular web applications on Kubernetes clusters.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Update Helm Charts: Upgrade to the latest versions of the affected Helm charts that address this vulnerability.
- Disable usePasswordFiles: Set the
usePasswordFilesparameter tofalseto prevent secrets from being mounted as files. - Restrict Access: Implement network policies to restrict access to the web server document root.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits of Kubernetes deployments to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.
- Monitoring: Implement monitoring and alerting for unusual access patterns to the web server document root.
- Least Privilege: Ensure that applications and services operate with the least privilege necessary to minimize the impact of potential vulnerabilities.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using the affected Bitnami Helm charts within the European Union. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, it could lead to widespread data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information. This underscores the importance of timely patch management and continuous monitoring within the European cybersecurity framework.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Predictable Path: The secrets are mounted under
/opt/bitnami/*/secrets, which is within the web server document root. - Default Configuration: The issue arises when the default value of
usePasswordFiles=trueis used, which mounts secrets as files into the container filesystem.
Detection:
- Log Analysis: Review web server logs for unusual access patterns to the
/opt/bitnami/*/secretspath. - Network Monitoring: Use network monitoring tools to detect and alert on unauthorized access attempts to the predictable path.
Remediation:
- Configuration Change: Modify the Helm chart configuration to disable the
usePasswordFilesparameter. - Patch Management: Ensure that all affected Helm charts are updated to the latest versions that address this vulnerability.
References:
- Advisory: GitHub Security Advisory
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-41240
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing robust security measures, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive credentials and maintain the integrity of their Kubernetes deployments.