[Security Advisory] CVE-2025-4563: Nodes can bypass dynamic resource allocation authorization checks

Hello Kubernetes Community,

A vulnerability exists in the NodeRestriction admission controller where nodes can bypass dynamic resource allocation authorization checks. When the DynamicResourceAllocation feature gate is enabled, the controller properly validates resource claim statuses during pod status updates but fails to perform equivalent validation during pod creation. This allows a compromised node to create mirror pods that access unauthorized dynamic resources, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

This issue has been rated Low (2.7) CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L, and assigned CVE-2025-4563.

Am I vulnerable?

All clusters that are using the DynamicResourceAllocation feature (disabled by default) and static pods together may be vulnerable.

Affected Versions

  • kube-apiserver: v1.32.0 - v1.32.5

  • kube-apiserver: v1.33.0 - 1.33.1

How do I mitigate this vulnerability?

This issue can be mitigated by:

  • If you’re not actively using the DynamicResourceAllocation features, the safest and simplest action is to turn off the feature on the API server.

Fixed Versions

  • kube-apiserver >= v1.32.6

  • kube-apiserver >= v1.33.2

Detection

All clusters that are using the DynamicResourceAllocation feature and static pods may be vulnerable. Run the following command to see if the feature is in use:

kubectl get ResourceClaim --all-namespaces

and

kubectl get pods --all-namespaces -o json | jq -r ’

.items

select(.metadata.annotations[“kubernetes.io/config.mirror”] == “true”)

“(.metadata.namespace)/(.metadata.name)”’

If you find evidence that this vulnerability has been exploited, please contact security@kubernetes.io

Thank You,

Rita Zhang on behalf of the Kubernetes Security Response Committee

Additional Details

See the GitHub issue for more details:

Acknowledgements

This vulnerability was reported by @amitschendel

The issue was fixed and coordinated by:

Patrick Ohly @pohly

Jordan Liggitt @liggitt

Balaji @SaranBalaji90

Rita Zhang @ritazh

Marko Mudrinić @xmudrii

Thank You,

Rita Zhang on behalf of the Kubernetes Security Response Committee