CVE-2025-14727 is a path traversal vulnerability categorized under CWE-22 found in the F5 NGINX Ingress Controller version 5.3.0. The flaw exists in the validation logic of the nginx.org/rewrite-target annotation, which is used to rewrite request URIs in ingress resources within Kubernetes environments. Improper validation allows an attacker with low privileges (PR:L) to craft malicious ingress annotations that manipulate the pathname resolution process, enabling traversal outside the intended restricted directories. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files or directories on the underlying system, potentially exposing confidential information or allowing modification of critical configuration files. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network (AV:N) without user interaction (UI:N), increasing its risk profile. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity heavily (C:H/I:H), with a limited effect on availability (A:L). While no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability’s nature and high CVSS score (8.3) indicate a significant risk if weaponized. The vulnerability affects only version 5.3.0 of the NGINX Ingress Controller, and versions that have reached End of Technical Support are not evaluated. No patches or fixes are currently linked, suggesting that organizations must monitor vendor advisories closely for updates.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-14727 can be substantial, particularly for those heavily reliant on Kubernetes and cloud-native architectures using the F5 NGINX Ingress Controller. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including configuration files, credentials, or internal application data, undermining confidentiality. Integrity could also be compromised if attackers modify ingress configurations or other critical files, potentially enabling further attacks or persistent access. Although availability impact is low, the breach of confidentiality and integrity can cause regulatory compliance issues under GDPR, leading to legal and financial penalties. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable due to the sensitivity of their data and the regulatory environment in Europe. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of remote exploitation without user interaction elevates the urgency for remediation.

1. Immediately audit existing deployments of F5 NGINX Ingress Controller to identify if version 5.3.0 is in use. 2. Monitor F5 vendor advisories and security bulletins for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-14727 and apply them promptly once available. 3. Implement strict access controls on Kubernetes API and ingress resource management to limit who can create or modify ingress annotations, reducing the risk of malicious configuration changes. 4. Use admission controllers or policy enforcement tools (e.g., Open Policy Agent) to validate ingress annotations and reject those that could lead to path traversal. 5. Restrict network access to the ingress controller to trusted sources only, minimizing exposure to potential attackers. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on ingress controllers and related components. 7. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring of ingress resource changes to detect suspicious activity early. 8. Educate DevOps and security teams about the risks associated with ingress annotation misuse and path traversal vulnerabilities.