CVE-2025-29331 in 3x-ui
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2025
An issue in MHSanaei 3x-ui before v.2.5.3 and before allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the management script x-ui passes the no check certificate option to wget when downloading updates
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-29331 affects the MHSanaei 3x-ui application version prior to 2.5.3, presenting a critical remote code execution risk that stems from improper handling of certificate validation during update downloads. This flaw exists within the management script x-ui which employs wget to fetch updates from remote sources without validating SSL certificates, creating an exploitable attack vector for remote adversaries. The issue manifests when the application passes the --no-check-certificate option to wget, effectively disabling SSL certificate verification and allowing attackers to intercept or manipulate update downloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic insecure download pattern where the application fails to validate the authenticity of downloaded content. When x-ui executes wget with the --no-check-certificate flag, it removes the cryptographic verification that ensures downloaded files originate from legitimate sources. This creates a man-in-the-middle attack surface where malicious actors can substitute legitimate update files with malicious payloads, potentially executing arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of the application. The flaw aligns with CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that mandate certificate verification for all network communications involving critical system updates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can deploy backdoors, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points through the compromised update mechanism. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for systems that automatically download updates. This vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as the arbitrary code execution enables attackers to leverage system shells and execute malicious commands.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of MHSanaei 3x-ui face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where automatic updates are enabled and network traffic is not properly monitored or filtered. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in update management processes, where certificate validation is bypassed without proper risk assessment or alternative security controls. Systems running vulnerable versions should be immediately isolated from production networks and patched to version 2.5.3 or later to prevent exploitation. The recommended mitigations include implementing network-level controls such as SSL inspection and certificate pinning, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious wget activity, and establishing a comprehensive patch management process that validates update integrity through cryptographic signatures rather than relying on certificate validation alone.
The vulnerability represents a critical oversight in application security design that could have been prevented through adherence to secure coding standards and proper threat modeling. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of their update mechanisms, ensuring that all network communications involving critical system components implement proper certificate validation and cryptographic verification. The flaw underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration decisions can create significant security vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of update and download mechanisms to identify similar certificate validation bypasses that could enable similar remote code execution attacks across different applications and platforms.