CVE-2026-80352 in Camel K
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2026
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') vulnerability in Apache Camel K.
A YAML injection vulnerability in custom resource configuration allows an authorized CR author to inject arbitrary Kubernetes objects, potentially enabling unauthorized resource creation with the privileges of the operator.
This issue affects Apache Camel K: from 2.0.0 before 2.9.3, from 2.10.1 before 2.10.2.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.9.3, 2.10.2 or 2.11.0, which fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as Improper Control of Generation of Code, commonly referred to as code injection, manifests within Apache Camel K through a YAML injection flaw in its custom resource configuration mechanism. This security defect allows an authenticated user with permissions to create or modify Custom Resources (CRs) to inject arbitrary Kubernetes objects into the system. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of input data provided by CR authors during the processing phase, where the application fails to properly distinguish between legitimate configuration parameters and maliciously crafted YAML structures designed to manipulate underlying infrastructure components.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability exploits the way Apache Camel K parses and applies Kubernetes manifests derived from user-supplied inputs. When an authorized actor submits a custom resource definition containing specially formatted YAML content, the system processes these instructions without adequate checks against injection patterns. This lack of strict input validation enables the attacker to bypass intended operational boundaries, effectively tricking the operator into executing commands or creating resources that were not originally requested by the legitimate user. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it leverages existing administrative privileges granted to CR authors, allowing them to escalate their influence over the cluster environment beyond what was initially permitted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it potentially enables unauthorized resource creation with the privileges of the operator itself. An attacker could leverage this weakness to deploy arbitrary workloads, modify service accounts, alter network policies, or access sensitive secrets stored within the Kubernetes namespace where Apache Camel K operates. This compromise undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to full cluster takeover if not contained. The affected versions include releases from 2.0.0 up to but excluding 2.9.3, as well as those from 2.10.1 up to but excluding 2.10.2, indicating a persistent gap in input handling logic across multiple minor release cycles prior to the patching updates.
In terms of industry standards and threat modeling, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection), specifically highlighting scenarios where user-controlled data is interpreted as code or configuration directives without proper sanitization. Furthermore, from an ATT&CK perspective, this behavior maps to techniques involving Command and Scripting Interpreter abuse for lateral movement or privilege escalation within containerized environments. The ability to inject arbitrary Kubernetes objects also touches upon aspects of resource hijacking and unauthorized access control violations, emphasizing the need for robust input validation frameworks in cloud-native applications that process dynamic configuration data.
To mitigate this risk, organizations are strongly advised to upgrade Apache Camel K immediately to version 2.9.3, 2.10.2, or any subsequent release such as 2.11.0, which incorporates fixes for the YAML injection flaw. In addition to upgrading, administrators should enforce strict RBAC policies limiting who can create or modify Custom Resources within critical namespaces. Implementing admission controllers that validate and sanitize incoming Kubernetes manifests before they are processed by operators adds an additional layer of defense against such injection attacks. Regular auditing of CR configurations and monitoring for anomalous resource creation patterns further enhances the security posture, ensuring that any attempt to exploit this vulnerability is detected and blocked promptly.