CVE-2025-8077: NeuVector Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-8077 Overview

A critical hardcoded credentials vulnerability exists in NeuVector versions up to and including 5.4.5, where a fixed string is used as the default password for the built-in admin account. If this password is not changed immediately after deployment, any workload with network access within the cluster could use the default credentials to obtain an authentication token. This token can then be used to perform any operation via NeuVector APIs, effectively granting full administrative control over the container security platform.

Critical Impact

Attackers with network access to the cluster can leverage default credentials to obtain full administrative access to NeuVector, enabling unauthorized security policy modifications, container monitoring bypass, and potential lateral movement within the Kubernetes environment.

Affected Products

• NeuVector versions up to and including 5.4.5
• NeuVector deployments with unchanged default admin credentials
• Kubernetes clusters running vulnerable NeuVector instances

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-09-17 - CVE-2025-8077 published to NVD
• 2025-09-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-8077

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1393 (Use of Default Password), representing a significant security misconfiguration risk. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated network-based attacks with no user interaction required. Successful exploitation results in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the NeuVector platform.

The fundamental issue lies in the use of a predictable, well-known default password for the administrative account. In containerized environments, this is particularly dangerous because any compromised workload or malicious container within the same network segment can attempt to authenticate against the NeuVector management interface.

Root Cause

The root cause is the use of a hardcoded default password for the built-in admin account in NeuVector deployments. This represents an insecure default configuration pattern where security relies on post-deployment manual intervention to change credentials. The vulnerability persists when administrators fail to immediately change the default password after initial deployment, leaving the system exposed to credential-based attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Gaining network access to the NeuVector management interface from within the Kubernetes cluster
2. Attempting authentication using the known default credentials for the admin account
3. Upon successful authentication, obtaining a valid authentication token
4. Using the token to execute arbitrary operations via NeuVector REST APIs

The exploitation is straightforward and does not require specialized tools. Any workload with network connectivity to the NeuVector controller service can attempt this attack. Once authenticated, the attacker gains full administrative capabilities including modifying security policies, disabling security controls, accessing sensitive container runtime information, and potentially pivoting to other cluster resources.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-8077

Indicators of Compromise

• Successful authentication to NeuVector management interface from unexpected source pods or namespaces
• API token generation events for the admin account from workloads that should not require administrative access
• Unusual administrative API calls or security policy modifications
• Authentication attempts from multiple sources targeting the default admin account

Detection Strategies

• Monitor NeuVector audit logs for authentication events involving the admin account
• Implement network policies to restrict access to NeuVector management endpoints
• Alert on API token generation for administrative accounts from non-management namespaces
• Review NeuVector access patterns for anomalous activity from container workloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive audit logging within NeuVector for all authentication and administrative actions
• Configure alerts for any successful login to the admin account outside of expected maintenance windows
• Monitor network traffic to NeuVector controller services for unauthorized access attempts
• Implement regular credential rotation and audit procedures for administrative accounts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-8077

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately change the default password for the admin account to a strong, unique password
• Audit NeuVector logs for any unauthorized access using default credentials
• Review and restrict network access to NeuVector management interfaces using Kubernetes NetworkPolicies
• Consider disabling or renaming the default admin account and creating named administrative accounts

Patch Information

Refer to the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-8pxw-9c75-6w56 for official remediation guidance from the NeuVector maintainers. Additional tracking information is available via SUSE Bugzilla.

Workarounds

• Change the default admin password immediately upon deployment before exposing the service
• Implement Kubernetes NetworkPolicies to restrict which pods can communicate with NeuVector management services
• Use RBAC and namespace isolation to limit potential attack surface from compromised workloads
• Consider deploying NeuVector management interface in an isolated management namespace with strict ingress controls

# Example NetworkPolicy to restrict NeuVector controller access
# Apply this in the neuvector namespace to limit management interface access
kubectl apply -f - <<EOF
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: restrict-neuvector-controller
  namespace: neuvector
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: neuvector-controller-pod
  policyTypes:
  - Ingress
  ingress:
  - from:
    - namespaceSelector:
        matchLabels:
          neuvector-access: "true"
    ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 10443
EOF