---
id: "CVE-2026-122307"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-122307"]
title: "Kyverno: namespaced PolicyException rights let users bypass cluster-wide policy"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.3
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["kubernetes", "kyverno", "package", "policy-as-code"]
not_affected_if: ["kyverno-1.19.2-or-later", "no-policyexception-create-rights"]
published_at: "2026-11-05T03:17:22+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-05T03:31:41+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-05T03:33:20+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122307", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-05T03:31:41+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Kyverno: namespaced PolicyException rights let users bypass cluster-wide policy

Kyverno before 1.19.2 folds PolicyExceptions into generated ValidatingAdmissionPolicies while ignoring its own enablement and namespace gates. A user with namespaced create rights on PolicyExceptions can inject negated matchConditions, so violating resources are admitted despite cluster-wide enforcement.

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

## How to check

- Check the installed Kyverno version with `kubectl get deploy -n kyverno kyverno-admission-controller -o jsonpath='{.spec.template.spec.containers[0].image}'`
- Review who holds create rights on PolicyException resources with `kubectl auth can-i create policyexceptions -n <namespace>` across namespaces
- Confirm whether the admissionpolicygenerator controller is in use (generated ValidatingAdmissionPolicies present)

## Fix

- Kyverno: move to `1.19.2` or later (fixed version from the advisory)

## Timeline

- 2026-11-05T03:31:41+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122307

## Documents

- [advisory] Vendor advisory: github.com https://github.com/kyverno/kyverno/security/advisories/GHSA-qc9c-3fgf-cgq8
- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/kyverno-before-1.19.2-policy-bypass-via-admissionpolicygenerator-policyexception-handling

## From the sources

Kyverno before 1.19.2 contains a policy bypass vulnerability in the admissionpolicygenerator controller, which folds PolicyExceptions into generated ValidatingAdmissionPolicies while ignoring the --enablePolicyException, --exceptionNamespace, and policy kind gates. Users with namespaced create rights on PolicyExceptions can inject negated matchConditions into the generated policies to admit violating resources, bypassing cluster-wide enforcement.

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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_