Vulnerability-Lookup

GHSA-6P7W-XXW9-J47F

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-12 21:31 – Updated: 2026-08-12 21:31

Details

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

6.0 (Medium)


                  
                    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

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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-18677"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-290"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-08-12T19:17:31Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "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.",
  "id": "GHSA-6p7w-xxw9-j47f",
  "modified": "2026-08-12T21:31:39Z",
  "published": "2026-08-12T21:31:39Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/security/advisories/GHSA-744g-c785-x65q"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-18677"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17474"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17502"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/kumahq/kuma/pull/17503"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://developer.konghq.com/mesh/changelog"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "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",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ]
}

CVE-2026-18677 (GCVE-0-2026-18677)

Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-08-12 18:47 – Updated: 2026-08-12 18:47

Title

Kong Mesh: a dataplane token without a workload binding can claim any workload's SPIFFE identity

Summary

Severity

6 (Medium)


                        
                          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

CWE

CWE-290 - Authentication Bypass by Spoofing

Assigner

Kong

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

1 product

Vendor	Product	Version
Kong Inc.	Kong Mesh	Affected: 2.13.0 , < 2.13.10 (semver) Affected: 2.14.0 , < 2.14.2 (semver)

Credits

kanywst

Show details on NVD website

JSON

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{
  "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": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "type": "finder",
          "value": "kanywst"
        }
      ],
      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "supportingMedia": [
            {
              "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"
}

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.

Detection rules are retrieved from Rulezet.

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.

Action not permitted

GHSA-6P7W-XXW9-J47F

CVE-2026-18677 (GCVE-0-2026-18677)

Tags

Sightings

Nomenclature