Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:L) | Local access needed |
| Attack complexity (AC:L) | Low complexity |
| Attack requirements (AT:N) | No attack requirements |
| Privileges required (PR:L) | Low privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:N) | No user interaction |
| Confidentiality (VC:H) | High confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (VI:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (VA:H) | High availability impact |
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
About External-Secrets External Secrets Operator
CVE-2026-22822 affects External-Secrets External Secrets Operator, a product from External-Secrets. Before acting, confirm where External-Secrets External Secrets Operator runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: 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 weakness class is Incorrect Authorization. The permission check exists but gets the answer wrong.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw needs local or adjacent access, needs some level of access, and needs no user interaction. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | External-Secrets External Secrets Operator |
| Affected versions | External Secrets Operator from 0.20.2 before 1.2.0 |
| Published | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Last modified | Jul 15, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | security-advisories@github.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of External-Secrets External Secrets Operator and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of External-Secrets External Secrets Operator named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on External-Secrets External Secrets Operator to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
- CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization More CVEs with this weakness
- CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
Improper authorization in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Adobe Campaign Classic (ACC) is affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.
Improper authorization in Azure AI Foundry allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. Prior to 9.5.2-alpha.8 and 8.6.21, a vulnerability in Parse Server's query handling allows an authenticated or unauthenticated attacker to exfiltrate session tokens of other users by exploiting the redirectClassNameForKey query parameter. Exfiltrated session tokens can be used to take over user accounts. The vulnerability requires the attacker to be able to create or update an object with a new relation field, which depends on the Class-Level Permissions of at least one class. This vulnerability is fixed in 9.5.2-alpha.8 and 8.6.21.
Argo Workflows is an open source container-native workflow engine for orchestrating parallel jobs on Kubernetes. Prior to 4.0.2 and 3.7.11, Workflow templates endpoints allow any client to retrieve WorkflowTemplates (and ClusterWorkflowTemplates). Any request with a Authorization: Bearer nothing token can leak sensitive template content, including embedded Secret manifests. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.0.2 and 3.7.11.
DataSource API Missing Authorization Check Leads to Arbitrary Data Source Metadata Disclosure in Apache DolphinScheduler. This issue affects Apache DolphinScheduler: before 3.4.2. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.4.2, which fixes the issue.
Earn your free CTEM certification.
Learn to scope, prioritize, validate and mobilize fixes for CVEs like CVE-2026-22822 with a free CTEM certification.
Beginner / Practitioner / Program Leader
Explore certifications