Publish GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2

Author: advisory-database[bot]

advisories/github-reviewed/2026/01/GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2/GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2.json

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+{
+  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
+  "id": "GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2",
+  "modified": "2026-01-20T16:37:18Z",
+  "published": "2026-01-20T16:37:18Z",
+  "aliases": [
+    "CVE-2026-22822"
+  ],
+  "summary": "External Secrets Operator insecurely retrieves secrets through the getSecretKey templating function",
+  "details": "### Summary\n\nThe `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.\n\nThis 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)\n\n### Impact\n- Cross-namespace secret access: Attackers or misconfigured resources could retrieve secrets from namespaces other than the one intended.\n- privilege escalation: Unauthorized access to secrets could lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or compromise of service accounts and credentials.\n\n### Resolution\n\nWe removed the incriminated templating function from our codebase. All users should upgrade to the latest version containing this fix.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nUse a policy engine such as Kubernetes, Kyverno, Kubewarden, or OPA to prevent the usage of `getSecretKey` in any ExternalSecret resource.\n\n### Details\n\nSee also:\n- https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/issues/5690\n- https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/pull/3895",
+  "severity": [
+    {
+      "type": "CVSS_V4",
+      "score": "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"
+    }
+  ],
+  "affected": [
+    {
+      "package": {
+        "ecosystem": "Go",
+        "name": "github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets"
+      },
+      "ranges": [
+        {
+          "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
+          "events": [
+            {
+              "introduced": "0.20.2"
+            },
+            {
+              "fixed": "1.2.0"
+            }
+          ]
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ],
+  "references": [
+    {
+      "type": "WEB",
+      "url": "https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/security/advisories/GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "WEB",
+      "url": "https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/issues/5690"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "WEB",
+      "url": "https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/pull/3895"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "WEB",
+      "url": "https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/commit/17d3e22b8d3fbe339faf8515a95ec06ec92b1feb"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "PACKAGE",
+      "url": "https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "WEB",
+      "url": "https://github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/releases/tag/v1.2.0"
+    }
+  ],
+  "database_specific": {
+    "cwe_ids": [
+      "CWE-863"
+    ],
+    "severity": "CRITICAL",
+    "github_reviewed": true,
+    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-01-20T16:37:18Z",
+    "nvd_published_at": null
+  }
+}