Flux CLI Workload Injection
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub.
Summary
Flux is a tool for keeping Kubernetes clusters in sync with sources of configuration (like Git repositories), and automating updates to configuration when there is new code to deploy. Flux CLI allows users to deploy Flux components into a Kubernetes cluster via command-line. The vulnerability allows other applications to replace the Flux deployment information with arbitrary content which is deployed into the target Kubernetes cluster instead. The vulnerability is due to the improper handling of user-supplied input, which results in a path traversal that can be controlled by the attacker. Users sharing the same shell between other applications and the Flux CLI commands could be affected by this vulnerability. In some scenarios no errors may be presented, which may cause end users not to realize that something is amiss. A safe workaround is to execute Flux CLI in ephemeral and isolated shell environments, which can ensure no persistent values exist from previous processes. However, upgrading to the latest version of the CLI is still the recommended mitigation strategy.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fluxcd | flux2 | < 0.32.0, >= 0.21.0 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| — | github.com/fluxcd/flux2 (Go) | 0.21.0 to before 0.32.0 | 0.32.0 | Patch available | GHSA-xwf3-6rgv-939r |
- flux2 Vendorfluxcd Affected < 0.32.0, >= 0.21.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- github.com/fluxcd/flux2 (Go) Vendor— Affected 0.21.0 to before 0.32.0 Fixed in 0.32.0 Patch available GHSA-xwf3-6rgv-939r
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-xwf3-6rgv-939r github.com/fluxcd/flux2 (Go) Fixed in 0.32.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2022-36035
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-xwf3-6rgv-939r
References
More fluxcd Flux2 vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-08687 Improper path handling in kustomization files allows path traversal CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2022-08630 Improper kubeconfig validation allows arbitrary code execution CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2022-16473 Flux2 Helm Controller denial of service CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.7
- TI-2022-08688 Improper path handling in Kustomization files allows for denial of service CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.7
- TI-2022-18648 Flux2 vulnerable to Denial of Service due to Improper use of metav1.Duration CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.0
Sources
- CVE-2022-36035 · CVE Program
- CVE-2022-36035 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-xwf3-6rgv-939r · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences