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GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2

CriticalCVSS 9.3 / 10
Published Jan 20, 2026·Last modified Apr 16, 2026
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Summary

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, as everything done with that templating function can be done in a different way while respecting our safeguards (for example, using sourceRef like explained here: https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/issues/5690#issuecomment-3630977865)

Impact

  • Cross-namespace secret access: Attackers or misconfigured resources could retrieve secrets from namespaces other than the one intended.
  • privilege escalation: Unauthorized access to secrets could lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or compromise of service accounts and credentials.

Resolution

We removed the incriminated templating function from our codebase. All users should upgrade to the latest version containing this fix.

Workarounds

Use a policy engine such as Kubernetes, Kyverno, Kubewarden, or OPA to prevent the usage of getSecretKey in any ExternalSecret resource.

Details

See also:

  • https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/issues/5690
  • https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/pull/3895
Risk Scores
Base Score
9.3

The vulnerability requires local access to the device to be exploited. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. No user interaction is needed for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability.

Threat Intelligence
7.4

Exploitation activity has been observed. Apply available patches or mitigations urgently.

EPSS
0.18%

The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.

Exploit
Not available

We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.

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Critical severity
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