CVE-2026-15416
Description
A flaw was identified in Argo CD, the GitOps engine used by Red Hat OpenShift GitOps, that could allow an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the Argo CD repo-server to achieve remote code execution. Under certain conditions, the attacker may then manipulate cached data to deploy malicious Kubernetes resources to managed clusters, potentially resulting in complete cluster compromise.
Statement
Red Hat is aware of a critical, publicly disclosed remote code execution vulnerability affecting the Argo CD repo-server. Under certain conditions, an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the repo-server gRPC interface could execute arbitrary code and, as part of a multi-stage attack involving the Argo CD Redis cache, potentially compromise Kubernetes clusters managed by Argo CD.
Red Hat OpenShift GitOps versions 1.20 and 1.21 are not affected by this vulnerability. The upstream Argo CD flaw requires unauthenticated network access to the repo-server gRPC endpoint and the Redis database. In Red Hat OpenShift GitOps 1.20 and above, Kubernetes NetworkPolicies are enabled by default, restricting ingress to these internal components. As a result, the unauthenticated gRPC call path required for exploitation is not reachable from other pods in the cluster, and the attack chain cannot be initiated.
Mitigation
Limit network access to the Argo CD repo-server gRPC endpoint to trusted internal components using Kubernetes NetworkPolicy or equivalent network access controls. Do not expose the repo-server outside the cluster or to untrusted networks. Restrict access to the associated Redis service and update to a fixed version once one becomes 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).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.9 | N/A | 8.9 |
| Attack Vector | Adjacent Network | N/A | Adjacent Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Changed | N/A | Changed |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | Low | N/A | Low |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control,Other
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; Varies by Context
Exposing critical functionality essentially provides an attacker with the privilege level of that functionality. The consequences will depend on the associated functionality, but they can range from reading or modifying sensitive data, accessing administrative or other privileged functionality, or possibly even executing arbitrary code.
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