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CVE-2025-66171: Medium Vulnerability in Apache CloudStack

A medium severity vulnerability in Apache CloudStack allows authenticated users to improperly access backups. Urgent remediation is recommended by upgrading to version 4.22.0.1 to mitigate risks.

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5 · Published May 8, 2026

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The CloudStack Backup plugin has an improper access logic in versions 4.21.0.0 and 4.22.0.0. This vulnerability allows anyone with authenticated user-account access in CloudStack 4.21.0.0+ environments, where this plugin is enabled and have access to specific APIs, to create new VMs using backups of any other user of the environment.

This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, classified as medium severity. Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to other users' backups, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized VM creation. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately by upgrading to CloudStack version 4.22.0.1, which fixes this issue.

Currently, there are no known public exploits or proof of concepts available for this vulnerability. However, the potential impact of exploitation is significant, thus organizations are advised to monitor their environments for any suspicious activity.

Organizations using CloudStack versions 4.21.0.0 and 4.22.0.0 should act swiftly to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Details

The CloudStack Backup plugin has an improper access logic in versions 4.21.0.0 and 4.22.0.0. Backup plugin users using CloudStack 4.21.0.0+ are recommended to upgrade to CloudStack version 4.22.0.1, which fixes this issue.

The CVSS score associated with this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium severity. The attack vector is classified as network-based, with low complexity and requiring low privileges. The impact on confidentiality is high, while integrity and availability impacts are none.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper access logic implemented in the CloudStack Backup plugin. Attackers with valid authenticated accounts can use this flaw to access and utilize backups from other users, which should not be permissible.

The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker does not need physical access to the environment to exploit the vulnerability. Due to the low complexity of the attack, it can be executed with minimal efforts. The required privileges are low, and no user interaction is needed to exploit this vulnerability.

Regarding the impact, the confidentiality of user data is at high risk, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. Organizations should be aware of the potential consequences of unauthorized VM creation and take appropriate actions.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Real-world deployment risk for organizations using affected CloudStack versions is significant due to the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive backups. This vulnerability allows attackers to create new VMs from these backups, risking data integrity and confidentiality.

The urgency assessment is classified as high, given the CVSS score of 6.5 and the potential impact of exploitation. Organizations must prioritize patching immediately to safeguard against unauthorized access and protect their sensitive data.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions of the Apache CloudStack Backup plugin include versions 4.21.0.0 and 4.22.0.0. Organizations should upgrade to version 4.22.0.1 to mitigate this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should apply the following mitigation strategies:

1. Upgrade to CloudStack version 4.22.0.1 to address the vulnerability.

2. Conduct penetration testing to identify and validate the effectiveness of the remediation.

3. Implement configuration hardening to restrict access to sensitive APIs.

4. Monitor for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor the following log indicators and behavioral anomalies to detect potential exploitation:

1. Access logs for unusual API requests or VM creation activities.

2. Alerts for any unauthorized user access attempts.

3. Network signatures that indicate misuse of backup functionalities.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

This vulnerability highlights the importance of access control mechanisms within cloud environments. Organizations must implement robust security measures to ensure that user access is limited to only what is necessary.

Security teams should design a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes regular audits and assessments.

Implementing a penetration testing methodology will help uncover similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Organizations should follow API security best practices to fortify their defenses against unauthorized access.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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