Cross-namespace secret disclosure via unchecked annotation references
Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026
Authorization flaw in Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes 3.0.0 through 3.4.1 allows remote authenticated users to read cross-namespace secrets. The operator trusts namespace values in secret references stored in a managed secret's annotation, then uses cluster-wide permissions to copy the referenced secret without checking authorization for the reconciled resource. Write access to a managed secret in one namespace and the ability to trigger reconciliation are enough to expose a secret from another namespace.
Summary
What happened
Authorization flaw in Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes 3.0.0 through 3.4.1 allows remote authenticated users to read cross-namespace secrets. The operator trusts namespace values in secret references stored in a managed secret's annotation, then uses cluster-wide permissions to copy the referenced secret without checking authorization for the reconciled resource. Write access to a managed secret in one namespace and the ability to trigger reconciliation are enough to expose a secret from another namespace.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-72640
- Published
- Aug 13, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 13, 2026
- Vendor
- Elastic
- Product
- Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes
- Classifications
- CWE-441, T1552.007
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 13, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=3.0.0 <=3.4.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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