CVE-2025-26521

Apache CloudStack: CKS cluster in project exposes user API keys

Published Jun 10, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 8.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-18065 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.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.00051}

epss

{'score': 0.00061}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apache
Apache cloudstack
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:apache:cloudstack:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apache
Apache cloudstack
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title Apache CloudStack: CKS cluster in project exposes user API keys
Weaknesses CWE-200
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apache
Published
Updated
Feb 26, 2026, 5:50 PM
Reserved
Feb 12, 2025, 9:12 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jun 10, 2025, 11:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:01 AM