CVE-2026-5006: CWE-639: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in HashiCorp Vault
CVE-2026-5006 is an authorization bypass vulnerability in HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise. An authenticated attacker can manipulate an identity value used in templated policy paths to gain unintended access. This is possible because the attacker can include slash characters in the identity value, which Vault interprets as additional path segments. The vulnerability was fixed in Vault Community Edition 2.0.4 and Vault Enterprise versions 2.0.4, 1.21.9, 1.20.14, and 1.19.20.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-5006) in HashiCorp Vault allows an authenticated attacker to bypass authorization controls by manipulating an identity value referenced in a templated policy path. The attacker can include slash characters ('/') in the identity value, causing Vault to interpret these as additional path segments during policy rendering. This can lead to unintended access to Vault paths that the attacker should not have. The issue affects Vault versions from 0.11.0 up to but not including 2.0.4. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.8, indicating medium severity. It was fixed in Vault Community Edition 2.0.4 and Vault Enterprise 2.0.4, 1.21.9, 1.20.14, and 1.19.20.
Potential Impact
An authenticated attacker with the ability to control identity values in templated policy paths can gain unauthorized access to Vault paths beyond their intended permissions. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure and modification of sensitive secrets stored in Vault. The vulnerability does not impact availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available and has been released in Vault Community Edition 2.0.4 and Vault Enterprise versions 2.0.4, 1.21.9, 1.20.14, and 1.19.20. Users should upgrade to one of these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. No other mitigation or workaround is indicated in the vendor advisory.
CVE-2026-5006: CWE-639: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in HashiCorp Vault
Description
CVE-2026-5006 is an authorization bypass vulnerability in HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise. An authenticated attacker can manipulate an identity value used in templated policy paths to gain unintended access. This is possible because the attacker can include slash characters in the identity value, which Vault interprets as additional path segments. The vulnerability was fixed in Vault Community Edition 2.0.4 and Vault Enterprise versions 2.0.4, 1.21.9, 1.20.14, and 1.19.20.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.8medium
Affected software
pkg:github/Vault EnterpriseRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-5006) in HashiCorp Vault allows an authenticated attacker to bypass authorization controls by manipulating an identity value referenced in a templated policy path. The attacker can include slash characters ('/') in the identity value, causing Vault to interpret these as additional path segments during policy rendering. This can lead to unintended access to Vault paths that the attacker should not have. The issue affects Vault versions from 0.11.0 up to but not including 2.0.4. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.8, indicating medium severity. It was fixed in Vault Community Edition 2.0.4 and Vault Enterprise 2.0.4, 1.21.9, 1.20.14, and 1.19.20.
Potential Impact
An authenticated attacker with the ability to control identity values in templated policy paths can gain unauthorized access to Vault paths beyond their intended permissions. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure and modification of sensitive secrets stored in Vault. The vulnerability does not impact availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available and has been released in Vault Community Edition 2.0.4 and Vault Enterprise versions 2.0.4, 1.21.9, 1.20.14, and 1.19.20. Users should upgrade to one of these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. No other mitigation or workaround is indicated in the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- HashiCorp
- Date Reserved
- 2026-03-27T13:52:35.219Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a8caba0acd9273b49192427
Added to database: 08/24/2026, 20:37:52 UTC
Last enriched: 08/24/2026, 20:52:12 UTC
Last updated: 08/24/2026, 21:00:35 UTC
Views: 4
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