CVE-2025-54997
CRITICALOpenBao < 2.3.2 - Authenticated Remote Code Execution via Audit Subsystem Log Prefix Manipulation
Title source: llmDescription
OpenBao exists to provide a software solution to manage, store, and distribute sensitive data including secrets, certificates, and keys. In versions 2.3.1 and below, some OpenBao deployments intentionally limit privileged API operators from executing system code or making network connections. However, these operators can bypass both restrictions through the audit subsystem by manipulating log prefixes. This allows unauthorized code execution and network access that violates the intended security model. This issue is fixed in version 2.3.2. To workaround, users can block access to sys/audit/* endpoints using explicit deny policies, but root operators cannot be restricted this way.
References (4)
Core 4
Core References
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://github.com/openbao/openbao/security/advisories/GHSA-xp75-r577-cvhp
Issue Tracking x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/openbao/openbao/pull/1634
Not Applicable x_refsource_misc
https://discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2025-14-privileged-vault-operator-may-execute-code-on-the-underlying-host/76033
Release Notes x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/openbao/openbao/releases/tag/v2.3.2
Scores
CVSS v3
9.1
EPSS
0.0035
EPSS Percentile
26.6%
Attack Vector
NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CISA SSVC
Vulnrichment
Exploitation
none
Automatable
no
Technical Impact
total
Details
CWE
CWE-94
Status
published
Products (2)
openbao/openbao
< 2.3.2
openbao/openbao
0.1.0 - 2.3.2Go
Published
Aug 09, 2025
Tracked Since
Feb 18, 2026