Overview
On May 8, 2025, Microsoft disclosed a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-29827 in Azure Automation, a cloud-based service that allows users to automate management tasks across Azure and non-Azure environments. The issue is categorized as an Elevation of Privilege (EoP) vulnerability resulting from Improper Authorization, tracked under CWE-285.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from improper authorization mechanisms within Azure Automation. An attacker who already has limited access to the service could potentially exploit this flaw to escalate privileges over the network. According to the CVSS v3.1 scoring, the vulnerability received a critical base score of 9.9, indicating a severe risk due to its:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low
- Privileges Required (PR): Low
- User Interaction (UI): None
- Scope (S): Changed
- Confidentiality (C): High
- Integrity (I): High
- Availability (A): Low
The vulnerability is exploitable under certain conditions, but its impact could be total if leveraged successfully.
Understanding CWE-285: Improper Authorization
CWE-285 refers to a class of vulnerabilities where the software fails to perform proper checks before granting access to protected resources. In this case, Azure Automation incorrectly validates the identity or role of the requestor, enabling privilege escalation even for lower-tier users.
Impacted Software
The affected product is:
- Microsoft Azure Automation — all versions listed as “N/A” are impacted
The issue affects unknown platforms, and Microsoft has marked the service as vulnerable without disclosing specific versions. Users and administrators of Azure Automation should consult the official advisory and ensure that patches or mitigation steps are applied immediately.
Mitigation and Recommendations
Microsoft has released guidance and updates addressing CVE-2025-29827. Customers are urged to:
- Apply all relevant security updates from the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC).
- Review and audit Automation account permissions and role assignments.
- Limit the use of automation credentials and restrict access to automation runbooks.
Organizations leveraging Azure Automation in production or sensitive environments should prioritize remediation and continue to monitor Microsoft security advisories for further developments.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-29827 serves as a critical reminder of the risks associated with cloud automation tools and the importance of enforcing strict access controls. While the vulnerability requires low privileges to exploit, its potential for damage is high due to inadequate authorization validation. Admins must act quickly to mitigate the risk and ensure the security of automated workflows in Azure.
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