CVE-2026-18378 in Cost Management Metrics Operator
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
A flaw was found in koku-metrics-operator. The operator's CostManagementMetricsConfig custom resource allows user able to edit the CR to specify an arbitrary upload URL. When authentication.type is set to token (the default), the cluster-global Red Hat Cloud pull-secret bearer token is attached to HTTP requests sent to this user-controlled URL, allowing the attacker to obtain the token.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability exists within the koku-metrics-operator component of Red Hat OpenShift, specifically targeting the CostManagementMetricsConfig custom resource implementation. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables unauthorized access to cluster-global authentication credentials through improper input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the operator's design allowing users to directly modify the CostManagementMetricsConfig custom resource to specify arbitrary upload URLs without adequate sanitization or access controls.
The technical exploitation occurs when the authentication.type parameter is configured to token, which represents the default security setting for the operator. Under this configuration, the system automatically attaches the cluster-global Red Hat Cloud pull-secret bearer token to all HTTP requests sent to any user-specified URL. This automatic credential attachment bypasses normal security boundaries and creates an inherent trust relationship between the compromised operator and any external endpoint controlled by an attacker. The vulnerability essentially transforms the legitimate authentication mechanism into a credential exfiltration vector, where the bearer token becomes accessible to anyone who can control the target upload URL.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating potential for broader cluster compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker with access to modify the CostManagementMetricsConfig custom resource can establish a malicious endpoint that receives the bearer token, which then grants access to Red Hat Cloud services and potentially other systems within the same authentication domain. This threat model aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting cloud service account credentials and authentication tokens. The vulnerability affects organizations using OpenShift Container Platform with the koku-metrics-operator installed, potentially exposing sensitive billing and usage data to unauthorized parties.
From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, as it involves unauthorized access to privileged authentication mechanisms. Additionally, it demonstrates characteristics of CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery, where the system automatically includes credentials in requests without proper validation of the request origin or destination. The security implications extend to data integrity and confidentiality breaches, as the stolen token could be used to manipulate billing data, access cloud resources, or perform unauthorized actions against the Red Hat Cloud infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to modify custom resources, implementing network segmentation to prevent communication with untrusted endpoints, and monitoring for unauthorized changes to CostManagementMetricsConfig objects.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate operational fixes and longer-term architectural improvements. Immediate actions include implementing strict RBAC controls that limit who can modify the CostManagementMetricsConfig custom resource, enforcing network policies that restrict outbound connections from the operator, and conducting thorough audit reviews of existing configurations. The operator should be updated to validate and sanitize all user-provided URLs before allowing credential attachment, implementing proper input validation techniques aligned with OWASP secure coding practices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing credential rotation procedures for the Red Hat Cloud pull-secret and establish monitoring rules that detect unusual patterns in metric upload activities or unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of least privilege principles and the need for careful consideration of automatic credential attachment mechanisms in cloud-native applications.