LearnCTEM.com, Best CTEM Learning Platform
CVE Intelligence Hub

CVE-2026-56160: Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift Improper Authorization (CVSS 9.1)

CVE-2026-56160 is a critical severity improper authorization in Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift with a CVSS score of 9.1. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

Last updated: Aug 7, 2026

Quick answer

Direct answer

CVE-2026-56160 is a critical severity improper authorization in Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift with a CVSS score of 9.1. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

Risk scores

CVSS base score
9.1CRITICAL
EPSS probability
0.79%
Higher than 55 percent of all CVEs
CISA KEV
Not listed
CVSS metricWhat it means
Attack vector (AV:N)Network: reachable remotely
Attack complexity (AC:L)Low complexity
Privileges required (PR:H)High privileges required
User interaction (UI:N)No user interaction
Scope (S:C)Scope changed: impact spreads beyond the component
Confidentiality (C:H)High confidentiality impact
Integrity (I:H)High integrity impact
Availability (A:H)High availability impact

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

About Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift

CVE-2026-56160 affects Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift, a product from Microsoft. Before acting, confirm where Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift 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: Improper authorization in Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

The weakness class is Improper Authorization. The software does not check whether a user is allowed to perform an action.

Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, 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

FieldDetail
ProductMicrosoft Azure Red Hat Openshift
Affected versionsAzure Red Hat Openshift all listed versions
PublishedJul 24, 2026
Last modifiedAug 7, 2026
Added to CISA KEVNot listed
Assigning CNAsecure@microsoft.com

How to detect it

  • Inventory every instance of Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift 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 Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift 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 stageWhat to do for this CVE
ScopeAdd every business service that depends on Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift to the current CTEM cycle.
DiscoverFind all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure.
PrioritizeRank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact.
ValidateConfirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work.
MobilizeAssign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure.

CWE References

Technical References

Frequently asked questions

CVE-2026-56160 is a critical severity improper authorization in Microsoft Azure Red Hat Openshift with a CVSS score of 9.1. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

Related CVEs

All Microsoft CVEs in 2026
Your next credential

Earn your free CTEM certification.

Learn to scope, prioritize, validate and mobilize fixes for CVEs like CVE-2026-56160 with a free CTEM certification.

Free to takePublicly verifiable

Beginner / Practitioner / Program Leader

Explore certifications