Tooling: Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default
CVE-2025-13357 is a critical-severity initialization of a resource with an insecure default vulnerability in Tooling from HashiCorp, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 5.5.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Tooling to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.53% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Tooling to 5.5.0 or a later version.
- Update Terraform Provider to 5.5.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on discuss.hashicorp.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| HashiCorp | Tooling | 4.2.0 up to, but not including, 5.5.0 | 5.5.0 |
| HashiCorp | Terraform Provider | 4.2.0 up to, but not including, 5.5.0 | 5.5.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | CNA (hashicorp.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Vault’s Terraform Provider incorrectly set the default deny_null_bind parameter for the LDAP auth method to false by default, potentially resulting in an insecure configuration. If the underlying LDAP server allowed anonymous or unauthenticated binds, this could result in authentication bypass. This vulnerability, CVE-2025-13357, is fixed in Vault Terraform Provider v5.5.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default
The product initializes or sets a resource with a default that is intended to be changed by the product's installer, administrator, or maintainer, but the default is not secure.
More Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default vulnerabilities (CWE-1188)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Tooling
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
Recent Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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