---
id: "CVE-2026-122302"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-122302"]
title: "Kyverno: namespace admins can create cluster-wide resources beyond their permissions"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "kubernetes", "kyverno", "policy-as-code"]
not_affected_if: ["kyverno-not-installed", "no-generate-rules-in-use"]
published_at: "2026-11-05T03:17:22+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-05T03:31:40+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-05T03:33:07+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122302", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-05T03:31:40+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Kyverno: namespace admins can create cluster-wide resources beyond their permissions

Kyverno before 1.19.2 lets a namespace admin create a namespaced Policy with generate rules that target other namespaces or cluster-scoped kinds. The background controller then creates or clones those resources cluster-wide, using its own permissions rather than the author's.

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

## How to check

- Check the installed Kyverno version, for example with `kubectl get deployment -n kyverno kyverno-admission-controller -o jsonpath='{.spec.template.spec.containers[0].image}'`
- List namespaced Policies that contain generate rules: `kubectl get policies -A -o yaml | grep -n generate`

## Fix

- Kyverno: move to `1.19.2` or later (the sources state the fix is in versions before 1.19.2 being vulnerable)

## Timeline

- 2026-11-05T03:31:40+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122302

## Documents

- [advisory] Vendor advisory: github.com https://github.com/kyverno/kyverno/security/advisories/GHSA-q62c-r9v2-cf64
- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/kyverno-before-1.19.2-privilege-escalation-via-generate-rule-permission-check

## From the sources

Kyverno before 1.19.2 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows namespace admins to create resources beyond their RBAC because generate-rule admission checks verify the controller's permissions, not the author's. Attackers can create a namespaced Policy with generate rules targeting other namespaces or cluster-scoped kinds, making the background controller create or clone resources cluster-wide.

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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_