---
id: "CVE-2026-122310"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-122310"]
title: "Kyverno: path validation bypass lets namespace users gain cluster admin"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.9
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["kubernetes", "kyverno", "package"]
not_affected_if: ["kyverno-1.19.2-or-later", "kyverno-below-1.19.1"]
published_at: "2026-11-05T03:17:23+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-05T03:31:41+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-05T03:33:02+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122310", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-05T03:31:41+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Kyverno: path validation bypass lets namespace users gain cluster admin

Kyverno checks a Policy's context.apiCall urlPath after cleaning it, but then runs the raw path, which drops anything after a # or ?. A user who can create a Policy in their namespace can hide ../ segments there to reach cluster-scoped endpoints using Kyverno's ServiceAccount, which gives cluster admin.

_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 -o jsonpath='{.items[*].spec.template.spec.containers[*].image}'`
- Look for Policies or ClusterPolicies that use context.apiCall with urlPath containing # or ?

## Fix

- Kyverno: move to `1.19.2` or later (from 1.19.1 onward, before 1.19.2 is affected)

## Timeline

- 2026-11-05T03:31:41+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122310

## Documents

- [advisory] Vendor advisory: github.com https://github.com/kyverno/kyverno/security/advisories/GHSA-3xfv-vq8x-qhg4
- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/kyverno-1.19.1-before-1.19.2-privilege-escalation-via-policy-apicall-urlpath

## From the sources

Kyverno from 1.19.1 before 1.19.2 validates a Policy's context.apiCall urlPath after cleaning it but executes the raw path, whose fragment or query the Kubernetes client discards. A namespace-scoped user who can create a Policy can hide ../ segments behind # or ? to reach cluster-scoped endpoints with Kyverno's ServiceAccount, gaining cluster admin.

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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_
