LXD: Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets
CVE-2025-54289 is a high-severity missing origin validation in websockets vulnerability in LXD from Canonical, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 6.5, 5.21.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating LXD to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.21% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update LXD to 6.5 or 5.21.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canonical | LXD | 6 up to, but not including, 6.5; 5.21 up to, but not including, 5.21.4 | 6.5, 5.21.4 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.4 | High | CNA (ubuntu.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | NVD |
Official description
Privilege Escalation in operations API in Canonical LXD <6.5 on multiple platforms allows attacker with read permissions to hijack terminal or console sessions and execute arbitrary commands via WebSocket connection hijacking format
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets
The product uses a WebSocket, but it does not properly verify that the source of data or communication is valid.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Enable CORS-like access restrictions by verifying the 'Origin' header during the WebSocket handshake.
- Use a randomized CSRF token to verify requests.
- Use TLS to securely communicate using 'wss' (WebSocket Secure) instead of 'ws'.
More Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets vulnerabilities (CWE-1385)
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
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in LXD
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
Recent Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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