CVE-2025-9276 in cockroach-k8s-request-cert
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2025
Cockroach Labs cockroach-k8s-request-cert Empty Root Password Authentication Bypass Vulnerability. This vulnerability could allow remote attackers to bypass authentication on systems that use the affected version of the Cockroach Labs cockroach-k8s-request-cert container image.
The specific flaw exists within the configuration of the system shadow file. The issue results from a blank password setting for the root user. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-22195.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The CVE-2025-9276 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Cockroach Labs cockroach-k8s-request-cert container images that directly impacts Kubernetes deployments. This vulnerability stems from improper configuration of the system shadow file where the root user account is configured with an empty password setting, creating a fundamental security weakness that allows unauthorized access to affected systems. The flaw specifically targets the authentication mechanisms within Kubernetes environments where CockroachDB components are deployed, making it particularly dangerous for database infrastructure that relies on these containerized services.
This vulnerability operates at the system-level authentication layer and can be classified under CWE-326 as an improper access control mechanism, specifically involving weak authentication credentials. The empty root password configuration creates an authentication bypass opportunity that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, allowing attackers to gain system-level privileges without requiring additional credentials or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The flaw exists within the container image itself rather than being a runtime issue, making it particularly persistent and difficult to remediate through normal operational procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data compromise, system manipulation, and privilege escalation within affected Kubernetes clusters. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to database systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, integrity compromise, or availability disruption. The vulnerability affects environments where cockroach-k8s-request-cert is used for certificate management in CockroachDB deployments, which are common in cloud-native applications requiring secure database communications. Organizations with multiple Kubernetes clusters using affected versions face significant risk exposure, particularly those with limited network segmentation or monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-9276 require immediate action including updating to patched versions of the cockroach-k8s-request-cert container images, implementing proper access controls for Kubernetes cluster resources, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all database-related deployments. Security teams should disable or remove any affected container images from their environments and implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement. Additionally, organizations should review their Kubernetes RBAC configurations and ensure proper monitoring is in place to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper credential management and configuration hardening in containerized environments, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure system configuration and access control management.