CVE-2026-8715: CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties in HashiCorp Tooling
Vault Secrets Operator versions 1.3.0 through 1.4.1 contain a vulnerability in the AppRole authentication configuration that allows a tenant with limited Kubernetes RBAC permissions to read arbitrary files from the operator pod's filesystem and exfiltrate credentials. This can lead to privilege escalation within the Kubernetes cluster. The issue is fixed in version 1.5.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-8715 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.6) in HashiCorp Vault Secrets Operator affecting versions 1.3.0 up to but not including 1.5.0. The flaw involves an arbitrary file read and credential exfiltration via the AppRole authentication configuration, enabling a tenant with limited Kubernetes RBAC permissions to access files on the operator pod's filesystem and send their contents to an attacker-controlled endpoint. This can potentially escalate privileges within the cluster. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties).
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited Kubernetes RBAC permissions can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive files from the Vault Secrets Operator pod and exfiltrate credentials, potentially leading to privilege escalation within the Kubernetes cluster. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of cluster secrets and may enable further attacks.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Vault Secrets Operator to version 1.5.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other official remediation or temporary fix is indicated. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor stating the issue is fixed in 1.5.0.
CVE-2026-8715: CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties in HashiCorp Tooling
Description
Vault Secrets Operator versions 1.3.0 through 1.4.1 contain a vulnerability in the AppRole authentication configuration that allows a tenant with limited Kubernetes RBAC permissions to read arbitrary files from the operator pod's filesystem and exfiltrate credentials. This can lead to privilege escalation within the Kubernetes cluster. The issue is fixed in version 1.5.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.6critical
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-8715 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.6) in HashiCorp Vault Secrets Operator affecting versions 1.3.0 up to but not including 1.5.0. The flaw involves an arbitrary file read and credential exfiltration via the AppRole authentication configuration, enabling a tenant with limited Kubernetes RBAC permissions to access files on the operator pod's filesystem and send their contents to an attacker-controlled endpoint. This can potentially escalate privileges within the cluster. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties).
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited Kubernetes RBAC permissions can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive files from the Vault Secrets Operator pod and exfiltrate credentials, potentially leading to privilege escalation within the Kubernetes cluster. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of cluster secrets and may enable further attacks.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Vault Secrets Operator to version 1.5.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other official remediation or temporary fix is indicated. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor stating the issue is fixed in 1.5.0.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- HashiCorp
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-15T21:03:34.973Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7e2c1bbf8831d539c6f680
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 20:42:03 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 20:56:05 UTC
Last updated: 08/13/2026, 20:56:05 UTC
Views: 4
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