CVE-2026-53576: CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') in kestra-io kestra
Kestra is an open-source, event-driven orchestration platform. Prior to 1.0.45 and 1.3.21, the authentication filter for the REST API (@Filter("/api/v1/**")) treats any request whose path ends in /configs as the public instance-config endpoint and forwards it without a credential check. kestra addresses its resources by URL path segments that the caller chooses (/api/v1/{tenant}/flows/{namespace}, /api/v1/{tenant}/executions/{namespace}/{id}, /api/v1/{tenant}/namespaces/{namespace}/kv/{key}). An anonymous caller picks the literal configs as the final segment, and the request bypasses Basic-Auth entirely. Because the bypass reaches the flow-create and execution-trigger routes, an unauthenticated caller creates a flow containing a Shell or Process task and runs it. The task executes as root inside the kestra container. The official docker-compose.yml mounts /var/run/docker.sock, so root in the container reaches the host Docker daemon. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.0.45 and 1.3.21.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Kestra, an open-source event-driven orchestration platform, has an authentication bypass vulnerability in its REST API filter for paths ending with /configs. Requests to this endpoint bypass Basic Authentication, allowing anonymous users to create and trigger flows that execute Shell or Process tasks as root inside the container. The official docker-compose setup mounts /var/run/docker.sock, enabling root in the container to control the host Docker daemon. This vulnerability is identified as CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and CWE-288 (Authentication Bypass). It is fixed in Kestra versions 1.0.45 and 1.3.21.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can bypass authentication to create and execute arbitrary code with root privileges inside the Kestra container. Due to the mounted Docker socket, this escalates to full control over the host Docker daemon, potentially compromising the entire host system. The vulnerability has a maximum CVSS score of 10, indicating critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Kestra to version 1.0.45 or later, or 1.3.21 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are specified. Patch status is confirmed fixed in these versions.
CVE-2026-53576: CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') in kestra-io kestra
Description
Kestra is an open-source, event-driven orchestration platform. Prior to 1.0.45 and 1.3.21, the authentication filter for the REST API (@Filter("/api/v1/**")) treats any request whose path ends in /configs as the public instance-config endpoint and forwards it without a credential check. kestra addresses its resources by URL path segments that the caller chooses (/api/v1/{tenant}/flows/{namespace}, /api/v1/{tenant}/executions/{namespace}/{id}, /api/v1/{tenant}/namespaces/{namespace}/kv/{key}). An anonymous caller picks the literal configs as the final segment, and the request bypasses Basic-Auth entirely. Because the bypass reaches the flow-create and execution-trigger routes, an unauthenticated caller creates a flow containing a Shell or Process task and runs it. The task executes as root inside the kestra container. The official docker-compose.yml mounts /var/run/docker.sock, so root in the container reaches the host Docker daemon. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.0.45 and 1.3.21.
CVSS v3.1
Score 10.0critical
Affected software
pkg:github/kestra-io/kestraRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Kestra, an open-source event-driven orchestration platform, has an authentication bypass vulnerability in its REST API filter for paths ending with /configs. Requests to this endpoint bypass Basic Authentication, allowing anonymous users to create and trigger flows that execute Shell or Process tasks as root inside the container. The official docker-compose setup mounts /var/run/docker.sock, enabling root in the container to control the host Docker daemon. This vulnerability is identified as CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and CWE-288 (Authentication Bypass). It is fixed in Kestra versions 1.0.45 and 1.3.21.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can bypass authentication to create and execute arbitrary code with root privileges inside the Kestra container. Due to the mounted Docker socket, this escalates to full control over the host Docker daemon, potentially compromising the entire host system. The vulnerability has a maximum CVSS score of 10, indicating critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Kestra to version 1.0.45 or later, or 1.3.21 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are specified. Patch status is confirmed fixed in these versions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-09T19:11:53.484Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a3eed5627e9c79719f40538
Added to database: 06/26/2026, 21:21:26 UTC
Last enriched: 06/26/2026, 21:36:20 UTC
Last updated: 06/26/2026, 22:06:35 UTC
Views: 3
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