CVE-2025-5088: CVX Cluster Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2025-5088 Overview

CVE-2025-5088 is a privilege escalation vulnerability [CWE-269] affecting the Redis service in Arista CloudVision eXchange (CVX) clusters. An attacker with network access to the Redis service and valid Redis credentials can leverage an authenticated session to obtain root access on every server in the CVX cluster. The advisory notes that all Redis communication, including authentication, occurs over plaintext, with TLS support tracked separately under RFE1294850. The flaw is documented in Arista Security Advisory #0126.

Critical Impact
An authenticated Redis session escalates to full root access across all servers in the CVX cluster, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of network control plane operations.

Affected Products

Arista CloudVision eXchange (CVX) cluster nodes exposing the Redis service
Arista CVX deployments using plaintext Redis authentication
See Arista Security Advisory #0126 for the complete affected version matrix

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-05 - CVE-2025-5088 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-5088

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in how the Redis service operates within an Arista CVX cluster. Redis is used as a distributed data store coordinating state across CVX nodes. An attacker authenticated to Redis can issue operations that the Redis-backed cluster components execute with elevated privileges. The path from authenticated Redis session to root execution converts a service-level credential compromise into full host and cluster takeover.

The issue is classified under [CWE-269] (Improper Privilege Management). The Redis service does not enforce a privilege boundary between authenticated clients and the underlying operating system context used by CVX processes. As a result, the trust model collapses once Redis credentials are obtained.

The attack is network-reachable and requires low attack complexity. Successful exploitation produces high confidentiality and integrity impact, with limited availability impact on the affected cluster.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing privilege separation between the Redis authentication layer and cluster-level administrative operations. Authenticated Redis clients can drive operations that the CVX cluster executes as root. Compounding this, Redis traffic, including the authentication exchange, is transmitted in plaintext, allowing credentials to be recovered by any party with passive access to the management network segment.

Attack Vector

An attacker requires two preconditions: network reachability to the Redis service on a CVX node, and a valid Redis password. The password can be obtained through credential reuse, configuration exposure, or passive interception of plaintext authentication traffic. Once authenticated, the attacker issues Redis operations that translate into root-level command execution on every server in the cluster, pivoting from a single credential to complete CVX infrastructure compromise.

No verified public exploit code is available. The vulnerability mechanism is described in prose per the vendor advisory; see Arista Security Advisory #0126 for vendor-supplied technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5088

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Redis AUTH commands originating from hosts outside the documented CVX management network
New or unscheduled root-owned processes spawned on CVX nodes following Redis client activity
Unusual Redis key writes or CONFIG SET operations preceding configuration changes on cluster nodes
Plaintext Redis authentication traffic captured on segments where it should not be visible

Detection Strategies

Audit Redis access logs on all CVX nodes for authentication events from unexpected source IPs or at unusual times
Correlate Redis client connections with subsequent process creation events on CVX hosts to identify privilege escalation chains
Monitor for lateral movement patterns across CVX cluster members initiated immediately after a successful Redis authentication
Inspect network flows to TCP port 6379 (or the configured Redis port) on CVX management interfaces for traffic from non-cluster sources

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest CVX system logs, Redis logs, and host process telemetry into a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation
Establish baselines for normal Redis client populations and alert on deviations
Capture and retain network flow records covering the CVX management segment for retrospective hunting
Integrate CVX node host telemetry with EDR or XDR tooling to surface root-level process anomalies tied to Redis sessions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5088

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed software version identified in Arista Security Advisory #0126 as soon as testing permits
Rotate the Redis password used by the CVX cluster and ensure it is not shared with other services
Restrict network access to the Redis service so only CVX cluster members can reach the configured Redis port
Audit existing CVX nodes for signs of unauthorized Redis authentication or root process creation

Patch Information

Arista has published remediation guidance in Arista Security Advisory #0126. Operators should consult the advisory for the specific fixed releases applicable to their CVX deployment and follow the documented upgrade procedure. TLS support for Redis communication is tracked under RFE1294850 and should be enabled once available.

Workarounds

Place CVX cluster nodes on a dedicated, isolated management network with strict ingress filtering
Enforce host-based firewall rules on each CVX node that permit Redis connections only from peer cluster members
Use a strong, unique Redis password and store it in a controlled secrets management system
Monitor and rate-limit Redis authentication attempts to detect credential brute-force activity

bash

# Example: restrict Redis port to cluster peers only (illustrative)
# Replace 10.0.0.0/29 with your CVX cluster management subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 6379 -s 10.0.0.0/29 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 6379 -j DROP