CVE-2026-18677 (GCVE-0-2026-18677)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-08-12 18:47 – Updated: 2026-08-12 18:47
VLAI
EPSS
VEX
Title
Kong Mesh: a dataplane token without a workload binding can claim any workload's SPIFFE identity
Summary
In Kong Mesh running in universal mode with a MeshIdentity whose SPIFFE ID path template derives from the dataplane's kuma.io/workload label, the XDS authenticator in kuma-cp validates that label only when the dataplane token is bound to a workload. Workload binding is optional, so a dataplane presenting a tags-bound token can register with kuma.io/workload set to any value and obtain another workload's SPIFFE identity.
Severity
CWE
- CWE-290 - Authentication Bypass by Spoofing
Assigner
References
5 references
| URL | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/security/advisorie… | vendor-advisory |
| https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17474 | patch |
| https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17503 | patch |
| https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17502 | patch |
| https://developer.konghq.com/mesh/changelog/ | release-notes |
Impacted products
{
"containers": {
"cna": {
"affected": [
{
"defaultStatus": "unaffected",
"modules": [
"kuma-cp"
],
"platforms": [
"Linux"
],
"product": "Kong Mesh",
"vendor": "Kong Inc.",
"versions": [
{
"lessThan": "2.13.10",
"status": "affected",
"version": "2.13.0",
"versionType": "semver"
},
{
"lessThan": "2.14.2",
"status": "affected",
"version": "2.14.0",
"versionType": "semver"
}
]
}
],
"configurations": [
{
"lang": "en",
"supportingMedia": [
{
"base64": false,
"type": "text/html",
"value": "\u003cp\u003eYou are affected if all of the following hold:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe control plane runs in universal mode.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eA \u003ccode\u003eMeshIdentity\u003c/code\u003e is configured whose SPIFFE ID path template derives from the workload label, including the default universal template \u003ccode\u003e/workload/{{ .Workload }}\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDataplanes authenticate with tokens that are not bound to a workload (tags-bound tokens, the common case, since workload binding is newer and optional).\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou are not affected if:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe control plane runs in Kubernetes mode. Its identity template is \u003ccode\u003e/ns/{{ .Namespace }}/sa/{{ .ServiceAccount }}\u003c/code\u003e, and the control plane derives those values from the pod\u0027s real identity rather than from a label the workload sets.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eYour \u003ccode\u003eMeshIdentity\u003c/code\u003e uses a SPIFFE template that does not reference the workload label.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEvery dataplane whose identity derives from the workload label already uses a workload-bound token.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e"
}
],
"value": "You are affected if all of the following hold:\n\n * The control plane runs in universal mode.\n * A MeshIdentity is configured whose SPIFFE ID path template derives from the workload label, including the default universal template /workload/{{ .Workload }}.\n * Dataplanes authenticate with tokens that are not bound to a workload (tags-bound tokens, the common case, since workload binding is newer and optional).\n\n\n\n\nYou are not affected if:\n\n * The control plane runs in Kubernetes mode. Its identity template is /ns/{{ .Namespace }}/sa/{{ .ServiceAccount }}, and the control plane derives those values from the pod\u0027s real identity rather than from a label the workload sets.\n * Your MeshIdentity uses a SPIFFE template that does not reference the workload label.\n * Every dataplane whose identity derives from the workload label already uses a workload-bound token."
}
],
"credits": [
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"lang": "en",
"type": "finder",
"value": "kanywst"
}
],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"supportingMedia": [
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"base64": false,
"type": "text/html",
"value": "\u003cp\u003eIn Kong Mesh running in universal mode with a \u003ccode\u003eMeshIdentity\u003c/code\u003e whose SPIFFE ID path template derives from the dataplane\u0027s \u003ccode\u003ekuma.io/workload\u003c/code\u003e label, the XDS authenticator in \u003ccode\u003ekuma-cp\u003c/code\u003e validates that label only when the dataplane token is bound to a workload. Workload binding is optional, so a dataplane presenting a tags-bound token can register with \u003ccode\u003ekuma.io/workload\u003c/code\u003e set to any value and obtain another workload\u0027s SPIFFE identity.\u003c/p\u003e"
}
],
"value": "In Kong Mesh running in universal mode with a MeshIdentity whose SPIFFE ID path template derives from the dataplane\u0027s kuma.io/workload label, the XDS authenticator in kuma-cp validates that label only when the dataplane token is bound to a workload. Workload binding is optional, so a dataplane presenting a tags-bound token can register with kuma.io/workload set to any value and obtain another workload\u0027s SPIFFE identity."
}
],
"impacts": [
{
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "Workload identity spoofing"
}
]
}
],
"metrics": [
{
"cvssV4_0": {
"Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED",
"Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED",
"Safety": "NOT_DEFINED",
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackRequirements": "PRESENT",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"baseScore": 6,
"baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
"exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"privilegesRequired": "LOW",
"providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED",
"subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
"subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
"subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"version": "4.0",
"vulnAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
"vulnConfidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
"vulnIntegrityImpact": "LOW",
"vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"
},
"format": "CVSS",
"scenarios": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "GENERAL"
}
]
}
],
"problemTypes": [
{
"descriptions": [
{
"cweId": "CWE-290",
"description": "CWE-290 Authentication Bypass by Spoofing",
"lang": "en",
"type": "CWE"
}
]
}
],
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2026-08-12T18:47:06.710Z",
"orgId": "02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb",
"shortName": "Kong"
},
"references": [
{
"name": "Upstream advisory GHSA-744g-c785-x65q",
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory"
],
"url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/security/advisories/GHSA-744g-c785-x65q"
},
{
"name": "kumahq/kuma#17474 (master)",
"tags": [
"patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17474"
},
{
"name": "kumahq/kuma#17503 (release-2.13 backport)",
"tags": [
"patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17503"
},
{
"name": "kumahq/kuma#17502 (release-2.14 backport)",
"tags": [
"patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17502"
},
{
"name": "Kong MESH Changelog",
"tags": [
"release-notes"
],
"url": "https://developer.konghq.com/mesh/changelog/"
}
],
"solutions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"supportingMedia": [
{
"base64": false,
"type": "text/html",
"value": "\u003cp\u003eUpgrade to Kong Mesh 2.13.10 or 2.14.2, whichever matches your release line. In patched versions a dataplane whose identity derives from the \u003ccode\u003ekuma.io/workload\u003c/code\u003e label requires a workload-bound token; an unbound tags-only token is rejected at XDS authentication. Kubernetes mode and universal templates that do not reference the workload label keep working with unbound tokens.\u003c/p\u003e"
}
],
"value": "Upgrade to Kong Mesh 2.13.10 or 2.14.2, whichever matches your release line. In patched versions a dataplane whose identity derives from the kuma.io/workload label requires a workload-bound token; an unbound tags-only token is rejected at XDS authentication. Kubernetes mode and universal templates that do not reference the workload label keep working with unbound tokens."
}
],
"source": {
"discovery": "EXTERNAL"
},
"timeline": [
{
"lang": "en",
"time": "2026-08-01T16:58:00.000Z",
"value": "Kong Mesh 2.13.10 and 2.14.2 published"
}
],
"title": "Kong Mesh: a dataplane token without a workload binding can claim any workload\u0027s SPIFFE identity",
"workarounds": [
{
"lang": "en",
"supportingMedia": [
{
"base64": false,
"type": "text/html",
"value": "\u003cp\u003eIssue workload-bound dataplane tokens for every dataplane whose identity derives from the \u003ccode\u003ekuma.io/workload\u003c/code\u003e label. A workload-bound token constrains that label to the bound value, so a mismatched label is rejected at authentication.\u003c/p\u003e"
}
],
"value": "Issue workload-bound dataplane tokens for every dataplane whose identity derives from the kuma.io/workload label. A workload-bound token constrains that label to the bound value, so a mismatched label is rejected at authentication."
}
]
}
},
"cveMetadata": {
"assignerOrgId": "02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb",
"assignerShortName": "Kong",
"cveId": "CVE-2026-18677",
"datePublished": "2026-08-12T18:47:06.710Z",
"dateReserved": "2026-08-03T15:20:45.630Z",
"dateUpdated": "2026-08-12T18:47:06.710Z",
"state": "PUBLISHED"
},
"dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
"dataVersion": "5.2",
"vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
"nvd": "{\"cve\":{\"id\":\"CVE-2026-18677\",\"sourceIdentifier\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\",\"published\":\"2026-08-12T19:17:31.063\",\"lastModified\":\"2026-08-12T19:17:31.063\",\"vulnStatus\":\"Received\",\"cveTags\":[],\"descriptions\":[{\"lang\":\"en\",\"value\":\"In Kong Mesh running in universal mode with a MeshIdentity whose SPIFFE ID path template derives from the dataplane\u0027s kuma.io/workload label, the XDS authenticator in kuma-cp validates that label only when the dataplane token is bound to a workload. Workload binding is optional, so a dataplane presenting a tags-bound token can register with kuma.io/workload set to any value and obtain another workload\u0027s SPIFFE identity.\"}],\"affected\":[{\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\",\"affectedData\":[{\"vendor\":\"Kong Inc.\",\"product\":\"Kong Mesh\",\"defaultStatus\":\"unaffected\",\"modules\":[\"kuma-cp\"],\"platforms\":[\"Linux\"],\"versions\":[{\"version\":\"2.13.0\",\"lessThan\":\"2.13.10\",\"versionType\":\"semver\",\"status\":\"affected\"},{\"version\":\"2.14.0\",\"lessThan\":\"2.14.2\",\"versionType\":\"semver\",\"status\":\"affected\"}]}]}],\"metrics\":{\"cvssMetricV40\":[{\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\",\"type\":\"Secondary\",\"cvssData\":{\"version\":\"4.0\",\"vectorString\":\"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X\",\"baseScore\":6.0,\"baseSeverity\":\"MEDIUM\",\"attackVector\":\"NETWORK\",\"attackComplexity\":\"LOW\",\"attackRequirements\":\"PRESENT\",\"privilegesRequired\":\"LOW\",\"userInteraction\":\"NONE\",\"vulnConfidentialityImpact\":\"HIGH\",\"vulnIntegrityImpact\":\"LOW\",\"vulnAvailabilityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"subConfidentialityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"subIntegrityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"subAvailabilityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"exploitMaturity\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"confidentialityRequirement\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"integrityRequirement\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"availabilityRequirement\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedAttackVector\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedAttackComplexity\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedAttackRequirements\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedPrivilegesRequired\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedUserInteraction\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedVulnConfidentialityImpact\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedVulnIntegrityImpact\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedVulnAvailabilityImpact\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedSubConfidentialityImpact\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedSubIntegrityImpact\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"modifiedSubAvailabilityImpact\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"Safety\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"Automatable\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"Recovery\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"valueDensity\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"vulnerabilityResponseEffort\":\"NOT_DEFINED\",\"providerUrgency\":\"NOT_DEFINED\"}}]},\"weaknesses\":[{\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\",\"type\":\"Secondary\",\"description\":[{\"lang\":\"en\",\"value\":\"CWE-290\"}]}],\"references\":[{\"url\":\"https://developer.konghq.com/mesh/changelog/\",\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\"},{\"url\":\"https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17474\",\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\"},{\"url\":\"https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17502\",\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\"},{\"url\":\"https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17503\",\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\"},{\"url\":\"https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/security/advisories/GHSA-744g-c785-x65q\",\"source\":\"02762ae7-200e-4b20-9b2b-a77d5b8fc4cb\"}]}}"
}
}
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Experimental. This forecast is provided for visualization only and may change without notice. Do not use it for operational decisions.
Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.
Sightings
| Author | Source | Type | Date | Other |
|---|
Nomenclature
- Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
- Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
- Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
- Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
- Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
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The MITRE ATT&CK techniques below are AI-generated suggestions, inferred from the description of the
vulnerability by the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-classification-roberta-base
model, served locally by ML-Gateway.
They have not been verified by an analyst and are provided for guidance only.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
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