CVE-2026-26287
Description
A flaw was found in external-secrets. An issue during webhook generator initialization incorrectly clears the label enforcement setting, bypassing provider-side validation. An authenticated user with permissions to create webhook generators can target arbitrary secrets lacking the required label and exfiltrate them to an external endpoint, resulting in unauthorized information disclosure.
Statement
Red Hat is aware of a vulnerability in External Secrets Operator where label enforcement for webhook generators can be bypassed. An authorized user who can create a webhook generator may retrieve and exfiltrate a Secret that is not labeled for webhook use. Red Hat is preparing updates for affected products.
Mitigation
Until an update is available, disable webhook generators when they are not required. Restrict permission to create Webhook generator resources, enforce the external-secrets.io/type=webhook label with an admission policy, and restrict egress from External Secrets Operator controller pods to approved destinations. Upgrade to a Red Hat product update containing External Secrets Operator 1.3.2 or later when available.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.1 | N/A | 7.1 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | Low | N/A | Low |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism
Access control checks for specific user data or functionality can be bypassed.
Access Control
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Horizontal escalation of privilege is possible (one user can view/modify information of another user).
Access Control
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Vertical escalation of privilege is possible if the user-controlled key is actually a flag that indicates administrator status, allowing the attacker to gain administrative access.
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