Description
The killProcesses mutation in Chaos Controller Manager is vulnerable to OS command injection. In conjunction with CVE-2025-59358, this allows unauthenticated in-cluster attackers to perform remote code execution across the cluster.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-29178
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability described in EUVD-2025-29178 pertains to an OS command injection flaw in the killProcesses mutation within the Chaos Controller Manager. This vulnerability, when combined with CVE-2025-59358, allows unauthenticated attackers within the cluster to execute arbitrary code remotely. The severity of this vulnerability is rated at a base score of 9.8 according to CVSS 3.1, indicating a critical risk. The vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H highlights the following:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal complexity.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required.
- Scope (S): Unchanged (U) - The vulnerability does not change the security scope.
- Confidentiality (C): High (H) - Complete loss of confidentiality.
- Integrity (I): High (H) - Complete loss of integrity.
- Availability (A): High (H) - Complete loss of availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector involves exploiting the OS command injection vulnerability in the killProcesses mutation. An attacker could craft a malicious input that, when processed by the Chaos Controller Manager, executes arbitrary OS commands. This can lead to remote code execution (RCE) within the cluster. The combination with CVE-2025-59358 suggests that there might be another vulnerability that facilitates the exploitation, possibly related to authentication or access control.
Potential exploitation methods include:
- Direct Command Injection: Crafting payloads that inject malicious commands into the
killProcessesmutation. - Chaining Vulnerabilities: Leveraging CVE-2025-59358 to bypass authentication or gain initial access, followed by exploiting the command injection vulnerability.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects systems running the Chaos Controller Manager component of Chaos Mesh. Specific software versions are not explicitly mentioned in the entry, but it is crucial to review the referenced GitHub pull request and commit for detailed version information. Organizations using Chaos Mesh for chaos engineering in Kubernetes clusters should be particularly vigilant.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:
- Patch Management: Apply the latest patches and updates from the Chaos Mesh project. Review the referenced GitHub pull request (#4702) and commit (67281c36f8068bf103149318cd0a466417213a28) for specific fixes.
- Access Control: Implement strict access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the cluster.
- Input Validation: Ensure that all inputs to the
killProcessesmutation are properly sanitized and validated to prevent command injection. - Network Segmentation: Segment the network to limit the attack surface and isolate critical components.
- Monitoring and Logging: Enhance monitoring and logging to detect and respond to suspicious activities within the cluster.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to European organizations utilizing Chaos Mesh for chaos engineering in Kubernetes environments. Given the critical nature of Kubernetes clusters in modern IT infrastructures, a successful exploitation could lead to widespread disruption and data breaches. The high base score of 9.8 underscores the urgency for immediate remediation to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
For security professionals, the following technical details are pertinent:
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Vulnerability Identification: The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-59360 and is aliased to EUVD-2025-29178.
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References:
- GitHub Pull Request: chaos-mesh/chaos-mesh/pull/4702
- JFrog Blog: Chaotic Deputy: Critical Vulnerabilities in Chaos Mesh Lead to Kubernetes Cluster Takeover
- NVD Entry: CVE-2025-59360
- GitHub Commit: chaos-mesh/chaos-mesh/commit/67281c36f8068bf103149318cd0a466417213a28
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Mitigation Steps:
- Review and apply the fixes provided in the referenced GitHub pull request and commit.
- Conduct a thorough security audit of the Chaos Controller Manager and related components.
- Implement robust security measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and comprehensively, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of a successful attack and maintain the security and stability of their Kubernetes clusters.