CVE-2026-54168: CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management in tektoncd pipelines-as-code
CVE-2026-54168 is an improper privilege management vulnerability in Tekton Pipelines-as-Code. Before fixed versions, a GitHub App installation token created during webhook processing was not properly scoped to the triggering repository when the App was installed across multiple repositories. This allowed a user with push access to one repository to read Tekton pipeline definitions from private repositories within the same installation. The vulnerability results in read-only access disclosure of pipeline definitions and does not allow write operations. The issue is fixed in versions 0.37.8, 0.39.6, 0.42.1, and 0.48.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Tekton Pipelines-as-Code versions prior to 0.37.8, 0.39.6, 0.42.1, and 0.48.0 contain a privilege management flaw where the GitHub App installation token generated during webhook processing is not scoped to the repository that triggered the event if the App is installed across multiple repositories. When the token scope is missing the triggering repository ID, it grants access to the entire installation. This allows a user with push access to one repository to submit a PipelineRun referencing a remote task annotation targeting a private repository within the same installation. The system resolves and inlines the remote private task using the overly permissive token, disclosing the private repository's Tekton pipeline definitions. The impact is limited to read-only disclosure without write privileges. The vulnerability is tracked as CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) and CWE-862 (Missing Authorization).
Potential Impact
An attacker with push access to one repository in a multi-repository GitHub App installation can read Tekton pipeline definitions from private repositories in the same installation. This leads to unauthorized disclosure of potentially sensitive pipeline configuration information. There is no impact on write integrity or availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
This vulnerability is fixed in Tekton Pipelines-as-Code versions 0.37.8, 0.39.6, 0.42.1, and 0.48.0. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation is required once patched.
CVE-2026-54168: CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management in tektoncd pipelines-as-code
Description
CVE-2026-54168 is an improper privilege management vulnerability in Tekton Pipelines-as-Code. Before fixed versions, a GitHub App installation token created during webhook processing was not properly scoped to the triggering repository when the App was installed across multiple repositories. This allowed a user with push access to one repository to read Tekton pipeline definitions from private repositories within the same installation. The vulnerability results in read-only access disclosure of pipeline definitions and does not allow write operations. The issue is fixed in versions 0.37.8, 0.39.6, 0.42.1, and 0.48.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Affected software
tektoncd
pipelines-as-code
pkg:github/tektoncd/pipelines-as-codeRun 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
Tekton Pipelines-as-Code versions prior to 0.37.8, 0.39.6, 0.42.1, and 0.48.0 contain a privilege management flaw where the GitHub App installation token generated during webhook processing is not scoped to the repository that triggered the event if the App is installed across multiple repositories. When the token scope is missing the triggering repository ID, it grants access to the entire installation. This allows a user with push access to one repository to submit a PipelineRun referencing a remote task annotation targeting a private repository within the same installation. The system resolves and inlines the remote private task using the overly permissive token, disclosing the private repository's Tekton pipeline definitions. The impact is limited to read-only disclosure without write privileges. The vulnerability is tracked as CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) and CWE-862 (Missing Authorization).
Potential Impact
An attacker with push access to one repository in a multi-repository GitHub App installation can read Tekton pipeline definitions from private repositories in the same installation. This leads to unauthorized disclosure of potentially sensitive pipeline configuration information. There is no impact on write integrity or availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
This vulnerability is fixed in Tekton Pipelines-as-Code versions 0.37.8, 0.39.6, 0.42.1, and 0.48.0. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation is required once patched.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-11T21:46:52.381Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6aa9c2a955bf5e2cf572cbbe
Added to database: 09/15/2026, 22:11:53 UTC
Last enriched: 09/15/2026, 22:17:20 UTC
Last updated: 09/15/2026, 22:21:27 UTC
Views: 4
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.