external-secrets up to 1.1.x getSecretKey authorization

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in external-secrets up to 1.1.x. Affected by this vulnerability is the function getSecretKey. Executing a manipulation can lead to authorization. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-22822. The attack is restricted to local execution. No exploit exists. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in external-secrets up to 1.1.x. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function getSecretKey. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a authorization vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-863. The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check. This allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

External Secrets Operator reads information from a third-party service and automatically injects the values as Kubernetes Secrets. Starting in version 0.20.2 and prior to version 1.2.0, the `getSecretKey` template function, while introduced for senhasegura Devops Secrets Management (DSM) provider, has the ability to fetch secrets cross-namespaces with the roleBinding of the external-secrets controller, bypassing our security mechanisms. This function was completely removed in version 1.2.0, as everything done with that templating function can be done in a different way while respecting External Secrets Operator's safeguards As a workaround, use a policy engine such as Kubernetes, Kyverno, Kubewarden, or OPA to prevent the usage of `getSecretKey` in any ExternalSecret resource.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-22822 since 01/09/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 1.2.0 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at github.com. Applying the patch 17d3e22b8d3fbe339faf8515a95ec06ec92b1feb is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2026-3404). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.9

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Authorization
CWE: CWE-863 / CWE-285 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: external-secrets 1.2.0
Patch: 17d3e22b8d3fbe339faf8515a95ec06ec92b1feb

Timelineinfo

01/09/2026 CVE reserved
01/21/2026 +12 days VulDB entry created
01/22/2026 +0 days Advisory disclosed
02/18/2026 +27 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: 5690
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-22822 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-22822
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-342232
EUVD: 🔒

Entryinfo

Created: 01/22/2026 00:41
Updated: 02/18/2026 18:01
Changes: 01/22/2026 00:41 (69), 01/22/2026 10:17 (1), 02/18/2026 18:01 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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