CVE-2025-54997

OpenBao: Privileged Operator May Execute Code on the Underlying Host

Published Aug 9, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 9.1 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
OpenBao exists to provide a software solution to manage, store, and distribute sensitive data including secrets, certificates, and keys. In versions 2.3.1 and below, some OpenBao deployments intentionally limit privileged API operators from executing system code or making network connections. However, these operators can bypass both restrictions through the audit subsystem by manipulating log prefixes. This allows unauthorized code execution and network access that violates the intended security model. This issue is fixed in version 2.3.2. To workaround, users can block access to sys/audit/* endpoints using explicit deny policies, but root operators cannot be restricted this way.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-24037 Privileged OpenBao Operator May Execute Code on the Underlying Host
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-xp75-r577-cvhp Privileged OpenBao Operator May Execute Code on the Underlying Host
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openbao
Openbao openbao
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:openbao:openbao:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Openbao
Openbao openbao
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openbao Project
Openbao Project openbao
Vendors & Products Openbao Project
Openbao Project openbao
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenBao exists to provide a software solution to manage, store, and distribute sensitive data including secrets, certificates, and keys. In versions 2.3.1 and below, some OpenBao deployments intentionally limit privileged API operators from executing system code or making network connections. However, these operators can bypass both restrictions through the audit subsystem by manipulating log prefixes. This allows unauthorized code execution and network access that violates the intended security model. This issue is fixed in version 2.3.2. To workaround, users can block access to sys/audit/* endpoints using explicit deny policies, but root operators cannot be restricted this way.
Title OpenBao: Privileged Operator May Execute Code on the Underlying Host
Weaknesses CWE-94
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Aug 11, 2025, 1:56 PM
Reserved
Aug 4, 2025, 5:34 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 9, 2025, 3:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:41 AM