PatchTheCVECVE-2021-25748: A security issue was discovered in ingress-nginx where a user that can create or update ingress objects can us
CVE-2021-25748 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.6) affecting ingress-nginx. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A security issue was discovered in ingress-nginx where a user that can create or update ingress objects can use a newline character to bypass the sanitization of the `spec.rules[].http.paths[].path` field of an Ingress object (in the `networking.k8s.io` or `extensions` API group) to obtain the credentials of the ingress-nginx controller. In the default configuration, that credential has access to all secrets in the cluster.
Why this priority
- High severity
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.6 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | Low |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.7% (top 47%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-20 |
| Published | 2023-05-24 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2021-25748?
ingress-nginx: upgrade to 1.2.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2021-25748 being exploited?
CVE-2021-25748 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2021-25748 affect?
CVE-2021-25748 affects ingress-nginx. Severity is high (CVSS 7.6). A security issue was discovered in ingress-nginx where a user that can create or update ingress objects can use a newline character to bypass the sanitization of the `spec.rules[].http.paths[].path` field of an Ingress object (in the `netwo
How urgent is CVE-2021-25748?
Priority 45/100. High severity; On your watchlist
Software pages
nginx vulnerabilities · Kubernetes vulnerabilities
Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-3288 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE A security issue was discovered in ingress-nginx where the `nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/rewrite-target` Ingres
- CVE-2023-5044 HIGH 7.6 UPGRADE Code injection via nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/permanent-redirect annotation.
- CVE-2023-5043 HIGH 7.6 UPGRADE Ingress nginx annotation injection causes arbitrary command execution.
- CVE-2022-4886 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE Ingress-nginx `path` sanitization can be bypassed with `log_format` directive.
- CVE-2021-25742 HIGH 7.6 UPGRADE MITIGATE A security issue was discovered in ingress-nginx where a user that can create or update ingress objects can us