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Vulnerability · Published Jan 21, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2026-22822External Secrets Operator insecurely retrieves secrets through the getSecretKey templating function

High 8.8

In plain English

A high-severity incorrect authorization in external-secrets from external-secrets. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 9% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)8.8High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.2%top 91.1% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

External Secrets Operator reads information from a third-party service and automatically injects the values as Kubernetes Secrets. Starting in version 0.20.2 and prior to version 1.2.0, the `getSecretKey` template function, while introduced for senhasegura Devops Secrets Management (DSM) provider, has the ability to fetch secrets cross-namespaces with the roleBinding of the external-secrets controller, bypassing our security mechanisms. This function was completely removed in version 1.2.0, as everything done with that templating function can be done in a different way while respecting External Secrets Operator's safeguards As a workaround, use a policy engine such as Kubernetes, Kyverno, Kubewarden, or OPA to prevent the usage of `getSecretKey` in any ExternalSecret resource.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
Gogithub.com/external-secrets/external-secrets1.2.0GHSA-77v3-r3jw-j2v2
Gogithub.com/external-secrets/external-secrets1.2.0GO-2026-4330

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
external-secrets external-secrets >= 0.20.2, < 1.2.0

Weakness: CWE-863 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

References