CVE-2025-67508 is a command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-77 that affects gardenctl-v2, a command-line client used to configure access to Kubernetes clusters managed by Gardener and associated cloud provider CLI tools. The vulnerability arises in versions 2.11.0 and earlier when gardenctl is used with non-POSIX shells such as Fish and PowerShell. Specifically, an attacker with administrative privileges within a Gardener project can craft malicious credential values that are stored in infrastructure Secret objects. These credential values are not properly neutralized and can break out of their intended string context when evaluated in Fish or PowerShell environments. This improper neutralization allows the injection and execution of arbitrary commands within the shell environment of Gardener service operators. The vulnerability requires that the attacker already has administrative privileges on the Gardener project, and user interaction is needed in the form of the operator using the affected shell environment to evaluate the malicious credentials. The impact of exploitation includes full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems due to arbitrary command execution. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 score of 8.0, indicating high severity, with attack vector being network-based but requiring high attack complexity, low privileges, and user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the published date. The issue is resolved in gardenctl-v2 version 2.12.0, which properly neutralizes special elements in credential values to prevent command injection.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those using Gardener-managed Kubernetes clusters and gardenctl-v2 for cluster and cloud provider CLI access. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution within infrastructure management environments, potentially compromising sensitive cloud credentials, cluster configurations, and operational integrity. This could result in data breaches, service disruptions, and lateral movement within cloud environments. Given the reliance on PowerShell and Fish shells in some operational contexts, the risk is heightened where these shells are used for automation or manual management. The requirement for administrative privileges limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or compromised admin accounts could be leveraged. The vulnerability's impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is severe, potentially affecting critical cloud infrastructure and services. Organizations operating multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environments with Gardener are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited to pivot across cloud providers or clusters.

European organizations should immediately upgrade gardenctl-v2 to version 2.12.0 or later to apply the official fix that neutralizes special elements in credential values. In addition, organizations should audit and restrict administrative privileges within Gardener projects to minimize the risk of malicious credential injection. Implement strict credential validation and sanitization policies before storing secrets in infrastructure objects. Limit the use of non-POSIX shells such as Fish and PowerShell for evaluating sensitive credentials or consider enforcing POSIX-compliant shells where feasible. Monitor and log usage of gardenctl and related CLI tools, especially commands involving credential management, to detect anomalous activities. Conduct regular security training for operators to recognize and avoid executing untrusted or suspicious credential data. Employ multi-factor authentication and robust identity management to protect administrative accounts. Finally, implement network segmentation and least privilege principles to contain potential exploitation impact.