CVE-2025-1767: Kubernetes gitRepo Volume Vulnerability

CVE-2025-1767 Overview

CVE-2025-1767 is an improper input validation vulnerability affecting Kubernetes clusters that utilize the in-tree gitRepo volume to clone git repositories from other pods within the same node. This deprecated feature fails to properly validate input, potentially allowing attackers with high privileges to exploit the vulnerability across the network. Since the in-tree gitRepo volume feature has been deprecated and will not receive security updates upstream, any cluster still using this feature remains vulnerable.

Critical Impact

Kubernetes clusters using the deprecated in-tree gitRepo volume feature are vulnerable to attacks that could compromise confidentiality and integrity of data across pods on the same node.

Affected Products

• Kubernetes clusters utilizing in-tree gitRepo volume feature
• Kubernetes deployments with pods cloning git repositories from other pods on the same node

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-03-13 - CVE CVE-2025-1767 published to NVD
• 2025-03-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-1767

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that the affected component fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. The vulnerability exists in the deprecated in-tree gitRepo volume implementation within Kubernetes.

The attack requires network access and high privileges to exploit, but once an attacker has established the necessary access level, they can potentially compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data across pods sharing the same node. The scope remains unchanged, meaning the vulnerability is contained within the vulnerable component's security context.

The deprecation of the gitRepo volume feature is significant because Kubernetes has officially stopped providing security updates for this functionality. Organizations continuing to use this feature face ongoing security risks with no expectation of upstream patches.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) in the gitRepo volume handling mechanism. When pods attempt to clone git repositories from other pods within the same node, the input parameters are not sufficiently validated, creating an opportunity for exploitation. The deprecated nature of this feature means the underlying validation logic has not been maintained to address modern security requirements.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to have high privileges within the Kubernetes environment. An attacker with sufficient access could potentially manipulate git repository cloning operations between pods on the same node, leading to unauthorized access to confidential data or modification of repository contents.

The exploitation path involves leveraging the deprecated gitRepo volume feature's insufficient input validation to affect other pods on the same Kubernetes node. For more technical details, refer to the Kubernetes Security Announcement and the Openwall OSS Security Discussion.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-1767

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual git clone operations between pods on the same Kubernetes node
• Unexpected access patterns to gitRepo volumes from pods with high-privilege service accounts
• Anomalous data flow between pods that should not be communicating via git repositories

Detection Strategies

• Audit Kubernetes pod specifications for usage of the deprecated gitRepo volume type
• Monitor for pods with elevated privileges attempting to access or modify gitRepo volumes
• Implement admission controllers to detect and alert on gitRepo volume usage in pod definitions
• Review Kubernetes audit logs for suspicious volume mount operations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Kubernetes audit logging and monitor for gitRepo volume-related events
• Deploy runtime security monitoring to detect unexpected git operations within containers
• Set up alerts for pods using deprecated volume types in production environments

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-1767

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all workloads using the deprecated in-tree gitRepo volume feature
• Migrate affected workloads to alternative solutions such as init containers with git clone operations
• Consider using external git sync sidecars or persistent volumes with pre-populated repository content
• Apply network policies to restrict pod-to-pod communication where gitRepo volumes are still in use

Patch Information

The Kubernetes community has addressed this issue through GitHub PR #130786. However, since the in-tree gitRepo volume feature is deprecated, the primary recommendation is to migrate away from this feature entirely rather than relying on patches.

Organizations should review the Kubernetes Security Announcement for official guidance and available patches for supported Kubernetes versions.

Workarounds

• Disable the gitRepo volume feature using the GitRepoVolume feature gate set to false
• Replace gitRepo volumes with init containers that perform git clone operations with proper input validation
• Use ConfigMaps or Secrets populated by CI/CD pipelines instead of runtime git cloning
• Implement Pod Security Standards that prevent the use of deprecated volume types

# Disable gitRepo volume feature gate in kube-apiserver
# Add the following to your kube-apiserver configuration:
--feature-gates=GitRepoVolume=false

# Alternative: Use init container approach instead of gitRepo volume
# Example pod spec modification to replace gitRepo volume
kubectl patch deployment my-deployment -p '{"spec":{"template":{"spec":{"initContainers":[{"name":"git-clone","image":"alpine/git","command":["git","clone","--depth=1","https://github.com/repo/name.git","/repo"]}]}}}}'