CVE-2023-26484

What it is

KubeVirt is a virtual machine management add-on for Kubernetes. In versions 0.59.0 and prior, if a malicious user has taken over a Kubernetes node where virt-handler (the KubeVirt node-daemon) is running, the virt-handler service account can be used to modify all node specs. This can be misused to lure-in system-level-privileged components which can, for instance, read all secrets on the cluster, or can exec into pods on other nodes. This way, a compromised node can be used to elevate privileges beyond the node until potentially having full privileged access to the whole cluster. The simplest way to exploit this, once a user could compromise a specific node, is to set with the virt-handler service account all other nodes to unschedulable and simply wait until system-critical components with high privileges appear on its node. No patches are available as of time of publication. As a workaround, gatekeeper users can add a webhook which will block the `virt-handler` service account to modify the spec of a node.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2023-03-15 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 05:43 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 8.2 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-03-15 21:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:43 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-863 · Incorrect authorization

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Kubevirt ≤ 0.59.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.2

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

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