CVE-2026-15416: Missing Authentication for Critical Function in argoproj argo-helm
A flaw was identified in Argo CD, the GitOps engine used by Red Hat OpenShift GitOps, that could allow an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the Argo CD repo-server to achieve remote code execution. Under certain conditions, the attacker may then manipulate cached data to deploy malicious Kubernetes resources to managed clusters, potentially resulting in complete cluster compromise.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Argo CD's repo-server component allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to perform remote code execution. The attacker may exploit missing authentication controls to manipulate cached data, leading to the deployment of malicious Kubernetes resources on managed clusters. This can result in full cluster compromise. The issue affects argo-helm versions before 10.0.0. The vendor advisory from Red Hat does not currently specify an official fix or patch availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution by an unauthenticated attacker, allowing deployment of malicious Kubernetes resources and potentially complete compromise of the affected Kubernetes clusters managed by Argo CD. This represents a critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the cluster environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-15416 for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict network access to the Argo CD repo-server to trusted users only and monitor for unusual activity related to Argo CD deployments.
CVE-2026-15416: Missing Authentication for Critical Function in argoproj argo-helm
Description
A flaw was identified in Argo CD, the GitOps engine used by Red Hat OpenShift GitOps, that could allow an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the Argo CD repo-server to achieve remote code execution. Under certain conditions, the attacker may then manipulate cached data to deploy malicious Kubernetes resources to managed clusters, potentially resulting in complete cluster compromise.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.9high
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in Argo CD's repo-server component allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to perform remote code execution. The attacker may exploit missing authentication controls to manipulate cached data, leading to the deployment of malicious Kubernetes resources on managed clusters. This can result in full cluster compromise. The issue affects argo-helm versions before 10.0.0. The vendor advisory from Red Hat does not currently specify an official fix or patch availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution by an unauthenticated attacker, allowing deployment of malicious Kubernetes resources and potentially complete compromise of the affected Kubernetes clusters managed by Argo CD. This represents a critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the cluster environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-15416 for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict network access to the Argo CD repo-server to trusted users only and monitor for unusual activity related to Argo CD deployments.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-10T14:49:39.682Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-15416","vendor":"Red Hat"}]
Threat ID: 6a55feea68715ace432dfb7c
Added to database: 07/14/2026, 09:18:34 UTC
Last enriched: 07/14/2026, 10:02:34 UTC
Last updated: 07/14/2026, 19:47:31 UTC
Views: 9
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