CVE-2026-25538 is a critical authorization bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-862, affecting Devtron, an open-source Kubernetes tool integration platform. In versions 2.0.0 and prior, the Attributes API interface lacks proper authorization controls on the endpoint /orchestrator/attributes?key=apiTokenSecret. This flaw allows any authenticated user, including those with minimal CI/CD developer privileges, to retrieve the global API token signing key. Possession of this key enables offline forging of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) for arbitrary user identities, effectively granting attackers unrestricted access to the Devtron platform. With full platform control, attackers can execute lateral movement attacks within the underlying Kubernetes cluster, potentially compromising cluster-wide resources and workloads. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and no elevated privileges beyond authentication, making exploitation straightforward in environments where Devtron is deployed. The issue was addressed and patched in a subsequent commit (d2b0d26). The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no need for user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation warrant immediate attention from Devtron users.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to Kubernetes infrastructure security. Devtron is used to streamline and manage Kubernetes deployments, so compromise of its platform can lead to full cluster takeover, exposing sensitive applications and data. Attackers gaining control can manipulate workloads, exfiltrate data, disrupt services, or deploy malicious containers. The ability to forge JWT tokens offline means attackers can maintain persistent access without detection. This threat is particularly critical for organizations relying heavily on Kubernetes for production workloads, including financial institutions, healthcare providers, and critical infrastructure operators across Europe. The lateral movement capability increases the attack surface beyond the initial compromise, potentially affecting multiple teams and services. Unpatched systems could lead to severe operational disruptions, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR and other European data protection laws.

Organizations should immediately upgrade Devtron to versions later than 2.0.0 where the vulnerability is patched. Until upgrades are applied, restrict access to the /orchestrator/attributes API endpoint to only trusted and highly privileged users through network segmentation and API gateway policies. Implement strict authentication and authorization controls around Devtron’s APIs, employing role-based access control (RBAC) to limit user privileges. Monitor API access logs for unusual requests to the attributes endpoint, especially attempts to access the apiTokenSecret key. Employ runtime security tools to detect anomalous JWT token creation or usage patterns. Conduct regular security audits of Kubernetes management platforms and ensure secrets management follows best practices, including key rotation and minimal exposure. Educate CI/CD developers about the risks of privilege escalation and enforce the principle of least privilege. Finally, integrate Devtron patch management into the organization’s vulnerability management lifecycle to ensure timely updates.