CVE-2026-0532 in Kibana
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2026
External Control of File Name or Path (CWE-73) combined with Server-Side Request Forgery (CWE-918) can allow an attacker to cause arbitrary file disclosure through a specially crafted credentials JSON payload in the Google Gemini connector configuration. This requires an attacker to have authenticated access with privileges sufficient to create or modify connectors (Alerts & Connectors: All). The server processes a configuration without proper validation, allowing for arbitrary network requests and for arbitrary file reads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0532 represents a critical security flaw in the Google Gemini connector configuration system that combines two distinct but complementary weaknesses. This flaw falls under CWE-73, External Control of File Name or Path, which occurs when application code uses external input to construct file paths without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability is further compounded by CWE-918, Server-Side Request Forgery, which allows attackers to manipulate server-side requests to access internal resources or perform unauthorized operations. The combination of these weaknesses creates a particularly dangerous attack vector that can lead to significant data exposure and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the connector configuration processing pipeline. When administrators or authorized users configure the Google Gemini connector, the system accepts a credentials JSON payload that contains file path specifications or network endpoint references. The server-side processing logic fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can traverse file system boundaries or make unauthorized network requests. This flaw specifically affects the Alerts & Connectors functionality where users with appropriate privileges can create or modify connector configurations, making it accessible to authenticated threat actors with sufficient access rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-0532 extends beyond simple data leakage to encompass potential system compromise and lateral movement within affected environments. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can achieve arbitrary file disclosure by manipulating the credentials JSON payload to reference sensitive files on the server filesystem or to make requests to internal services that should normally be protected from external access. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001, "File and Directory Discovery," and can support broader reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially access confidential data, configuration files, or system resources that should remain protected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0532 must address both the input validation deficiencies and the broader access control requirements. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures that prevent path traversal attacks and validate all file path references in configuration payloads. The system should enforce whitelisting of allowed file paths and network endpoints, rejecting any inputs that attempt to reference unauthorized resources. Additionally, privilege escalation controls should be strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs can modify connector configurations. The principle of least privilege should be strictly enforced, and all configuration changes should be logged and monitored for suspicious activities. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.