CVE-2023-22480Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Cluster credential disclosure via unauthenticated kubeconfig download

Published Jan 14, 2023 · Updated Mar 10, 2025

Missing authorization in KubeOperator 3.16.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to download cluster kubeconfig files without authentication. The /api/v1/clusters/kubeconfig/{name} route is registered under WhiteScope instead of AuthScope, so downloadKubeconfig runs without authorization middleware. A reachable deployment and a valid cluster name are sufficient to expose Kubernetes credentials that can enable cluster takeover.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability66.77%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authorization in KubeOperator 3.16.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to download cluster kubeconfig files without authentication. The /api/v1/clusters/kubeconfig/{name} route is registered under WhiteScope instead of AuthScope, so downloadKubeconfig runs without authorization middleware. A reachable deployment and a valid cluster name are sufficient to expose Kubernetes credentials that can enable cluster takeover.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-22480
Published
Jan 14, 2023
Updated
Mar 10, 2025
Vendor
KubeOperator
Product
KubeOperator
Classifications
CWE-863, CWE-862, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 10, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=<= 3.16.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

KubeOperator · KubeOperatorversion=<= 3.16.3

Published CVSS scores

7.3GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
CWE-862Missing Authorization
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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