Unauthorized Access to Kubernetes Secrets in Bitnami Helm Charts

CVE-2025-41240

What is CVE-2025-41240?

CVE-2025-41240 is a vulnerability found in certain Bitnami Helm charts, which are used to simplify the deployment of applications on Kubernetes. The primary purpose of these charts is to package Kubernetes applications along with their dependencies, configuration, and other necessary components, thereby streamlining the operational deployment process. The identified vulnerability relates to the way Kubernetes Secrets are managed and mounted within these charts, specifically under a predictable path that falls within the web server's document root. When the default setting of usePasswordFiles=true is employed, this configuration can inadvertently expose sensitive credentials through unauthenticated access via HTTP/S. If these applications are deployed in a manner that exposes them to the internet, malicious actors could potentially access critical secrets, including authentication tokens and sensitive data, through crafted URLs. As organizations rely on secure application deployments, this vulnerability poses a serious risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential compromise of critical infrastructure.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-41240

1. Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Information: The vulnerability permits attackers to gain unrestricted access to confidential credentials stored in Kubernetes Secrets, which could lead to unauthorized operations and data compromises within the organization.

2. Increased Attack Surface for External Threats: Given that the exposed secrets are accessible via predictable URLs, this vulnerability significantly expands the attack surface for external threat actors, particularly if the applications are improperly secured or exposed to the internet.

3. Potential for Escalation of Attacks: Access to sensitive credentials could allow attackers to escalate their privileges within the Kubernetes environment, potentially leading to further exploitation of other services, lateral movements within the network, and increased overall risk to the organization.

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