CVE-2025-55196: external-secrets Improper Access Control

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-55196 is a high (CVSS 7.1) Improper Access Control vulnerability in external-secrets. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 29.7% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 13-08-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 14-08-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

External Secrets Operator is a Kubernetes operator that integrates external secret management systems. From version 0.15.0 to before 0.19.2, a vulnerability was discovered where the List() calls for Kubernetes Secret and SecretStore resources performed by the PushSecret controller did not apply a namespace selector. This flaw allowed an attacker to use label selectors to list and read secrets/secret-stores across the cluster, bypassing intended namespace restrictions. An attacker with the ability to create or update PushSecret resources and control SecretStore configurations could exploit this vulnerability to exfiltrate sensitive data from arbitrary namespaces. This could lead to full disclosure of Kubernetes secrets, including credentials, tokens, and other sensitive information stored in the cluster. This vulnerability has been patched in version 0.19.2. A workaround for this issue includes auditing and restricting RBAC permissions so that only trusted service accounts can create or update PushSecret and SecretStore resources.

• CWE-284Improper Access ControlThe product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.