CVE-2025-48413: The /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files reveal hard-coded password hashes for the operating system
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.7 High.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 01:41 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CISA-ADP | CVSS 3.1 | 7.7 |
|---|
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 21 May 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
Until a fix is available, restrict physical and network access to affected devices to prevent exploitation. Monitor for vendor updates addressing this issue.
Description
CVE-2025-48413 is a vulnerability where the /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files contain hard-coded password hashes for the root user. These credentials are included in update files and cannot be changed or deleted by the end user. An attacker with access can use these credentials to authenticate via SSH or physical access methods such as UART shell.