CVE-2026-18621
Description
A flaw was found in Data Science Pipelines (DSP). An attacker with namespace editor privileges can bypass security hardening by submitting a malicious Argo Workflow through the V1 API path. This allows the API server to create pods with elevated privileges, acting as a 'confused deputy' on behalf of the attacker. Successful exploitation grants the attacker node-root access, enabling arbitrary code execution and full control over the underlying node.
Statement
This is an Important vulnerability in Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI) and Data Science Pipelines Operator (DSPO) that allows a namespace editor to achieve node-root privileges. This occurs because the V1 Argo template path, still active in RHOAI/DSPO deployments, bypasses security hardening applied by the v2 compiler. Exploitation leverages a confused deputy scenario where the API server creates a malicious Workflow CR on behalf of the submitter, enabling privileged pod creation in namespaces configured with GPU operators or anyuid/privileged SCCs.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, ensure that Data Science Project (DSP) namespaces enforce `pod-security.kubernetes.io/enforce: restricted`. Additionally, verify that the `pipeline-runner` ServiceAccount is not bound to `privileged` or `anyuid` Security Context Constraints (SCCs).
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 | 7.6 | N/A | 7.6 |
| 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 | Low | N/A | Low |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
A user can access restricted functionality and/or sensitive information that may include administrative functionality and user accounts.
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