CVE-2024-22032 in Rancher
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
A vulnerability has been identified in which an RKE1 cluster keeps constantly reconciling when secrets encryption configuration is enabled. When reconciling, the Kube API secret values are written in plaintext on the AppliedSpec. Cluster owners, Cluster members, and Project members (for projects within the cluster), all have RBAC permissions to view the cluster object from the apiserver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Rancher Kubernetes Engine 1 (RKE1) clusters where the system enters an infinite reconciliation loop when secrets encryption is enabled. The issue stems from how RKE1 handles the AppliedSpec object during the reconciliation process, specifically when dealing with encrypted secrets configuration. When the cluster attempts to reconcile its state, it inadvertently writes plaintext secret values directly into the AppliedSpec, creating a persistent exposure of sensitive data within the cluster's configuration objects.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the reconciliation mechanism that governs how RKE1 manages cluster specifications and secret encryption settings. During normal operation, when secrets encryption is enabled, the system should maintain encrypted representations of all secret data throughout its lifecycle. However, this vulnerability causes the system to bypass proper encryption handling during reconciliation, resulting in plaintext credentials being stored in the AppliedSpec field where they become accessible through standard Kubernetes API calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of RKE1 clusters. All cluster owners, members, and project members possess RBAC permissions that allow them to query cluster objects through the apiserver, meaning any user with these roles can access the AppliedSpec containing plaintext secrets. This creates a significant attack surface where unauthorized users can potentially extract sensitive information such as database credentials, API keys, and other confidential data that should remain encrypted.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE categories including CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data), while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques such as T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS). The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient access control during system operations, where the reconciliation process fails to properly handle privileged data access patterns. Organizations using RKE1 clusters with secrets encryption enabled face heightened risk of credential compromise, particularly in environments where least privilege principles are not strictly enforced.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate implementation of strict RBAC controls limiting access to cluster objects and AppliedSpec fields, along with disabling secrets encryption until a proper fix is implemented. System administrators should also monitor for unauthorized access attempts and consider implementing additional logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations must ensure that all users with access to cluster objects undergo proper security training and that privilege escalation paths are carefully reviewed and restricted to prevent unauthorized data exposure through the apiserver interface.