CVE-2025-7195 is a vulnerability in early versions of the operator-framework's Operator-SDK, specifically before version 0.15.2. The root cause is an insecure user_setup script used during container image build time that modifies the permissions of the /etc/passwd file to 664 (group writable) and sets its group ownership to root (gid=0). Normally, /etc/passwd should not be group writable to prevent unauthorized modifications. In affected container images, any user who can execute commands inside the container and is a member of the root group can modify /etc/passwd. By doing so, the attacker can add new user entries with arbitrary user IDs, including UID 0, effectively granting themselves root privileges within the container. This escalation compromises the container's integrity and confidentiality, enabling further malicious activities. The vulnerability requires that the attacker already has some level of command execution inside the container as a non-root user with root group membership, which limits the attack vector to scenarios where initial access is already obtained. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.2 (medium severity), reflecting the complexity of exploitation and the limited scope. No known exploits in the wild have been reported. The vulnerability primarily affects container images built using Operator-SDK versions before 0.15.2 that still use the insecure user_setup script. Remediation involves updating to Operator-SDK 0.15.2 or later and rebuilding container images without the insecure script.

For European organizations deploying Kubernetes operators built with vulnerable versions of Operator-SDK, this vulnerability poses a risk of container privilege escalation. An attacker who gains limited access inside a container could escalate privileges to root within that container, potentially allowing them to manipulate container behavior, access sensitive data, or pivot to other systems. This can undermine the confidentiality and integrity of workloads running in containerized environments. Although the vulnerability does not directly allow host-level compromise, container root access can facilitate further attacks if container escape vulnerabilities exist. Organizations relying heavily on Kubernetes operators for critical infrastructure or multi-tenant environments are at higher risk. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, where container compromise could lead to data breaches or service disruptions.

European organizations should audit their Kubernetes operator container images to identify those built with Operator-SDK versions prior to 0.15.2 that use the insecure user_setup script. Immediate mitigation steps include: 1) Updating Operator-SDK to version 0.15.2 or later, which removes the insecure user_setup script and corrects /etc/passwd permissions. 2) Rebuilding all affected container images with the updated Operator-SDK to ensure secure file permissions. 3) Implementing strict container runtime security policies that restrict group memberships and enforce least privilege principles. 4) Employing container image scanning tools to detect insecure file permissions and known vulnerable components. 5) Monitoring container logs and behaviors for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 6) Limiting user access within containers and avoiding granting root group membership unless absolutely necessary. 7) Integrating security checks into CI/CD pipelines to prevent deployment of vulnerable images. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on build-time fixes, runtime restrictions, and proactive detection.