Administrative takeover via shipped default credentials
Published Aug 19, 2025 · Updated Aug 19, 2025
Use of default credentials in Anipaleja nginx-defender before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to gain administrative control. The shipped config.yaml and docker-compose.yml assign predictable passwords through default_password and GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD. Exploitation requires deployment without changing those values and network exposure of the admin interface; successful access permits administrative control and bypass of WAF protections.
Summary
What happened
Use of default credentials in Anipaleja nginx-defender before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to gain administrative control. The shipped config.yaml and docker-compose.yml assign predictable passwords through default_password and GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD. Exploitation requires deployment without changing those values and network exposure of the admin interface; successful access permits administrative control and bypass of WAF protections.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-55740
- Published
- Aug 19, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 19, 2025
- Vendor
- Anipaleja
- Product
- nginx-defender
- Classifications
- CWE-1392, CWE-798, T1078
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 19, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 19, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 1.5.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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