---
id: "CVE-2026-113708"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-113708"]
title: "Argo CD: crafted Kustomize remote URL runs commands in repo-server"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.9
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["argo-cd", "gitops", "infrastructure", "kubernetes"]
not_affected_if: ["already-patched-versions", "versions-before-2.7.0"]
published_at: "2026-10-20T19:17:33+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:21+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:39:26+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-113708", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:21+00:00"}]
---

# Argo CD: crafted Kustomize remote URL runs commands in repo-server

A leading-hyphen ref or version value in a Kustomize remote URL is passed to git without an end-of-options separator, so git runs --upload-pack with an attacker-chosen command when the remote uses file://. The command runs as the argocd-repo-server user, which can read repository credentials and process data, and the output can return through manifest errors.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

Check the Argo CD version: argocd version or the argocd-repo-server image tag.

## Fix

Upgrade Argo CD to 3.3.15, 3.4.10, 3.5.4, or 3.6.0-rc2 or later; upgrading Kustomize alone does not fix it.
Restrict who holds Application get permission and who can call manifestsWithFiles until patched.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:21+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-113708

## From the sources

Argo CD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes. From 2.7.0 until 3.3.15, 3.4.10, 3.5.4, and 3.6.0-rc2, Kustomize passes ref or version query values from remote resource, base, or component URLs to git fetch without an end-of-options separator. A leading-hyphen value can be parsed as --upload-pack and execute a command inside argocd-repo-server when the remote uses a local transport such as file://. Git does not run the supplied command for an https:// remote. The local transport does not leave the pod, so blocking repo-server egress does not prevent the execution. The command runs as the repo-server user, can read repository credentials and other process-accessible data, and can return output through manifest-generation errors. An attacker can commit a Kustomization to a Git repository that an Application builds or upload files through POST /api/v1/applications/manifestsWithFiles, also exposed by argocd app diff --local --server-side-generate. The upload path requires only Application get permission on an existing Application, without Application update or sync permission or repository write access. Kustomize 5.0.0 introduced acceptance of file://, whereas 4.5.7 rejects that transport; replacing the affected Kustomize with a newer version alone does not correct the missing option separator. This issue is fixed in versions 3.3.15, 3.4.10, 3.5.4, and 3.6.0-rc2.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_