# CVE-2025-66623: Strimzi allows unrestricted access to all Secrets in the same Kubernetes namespace from Kafka Connect and MirrorMaker 2 operands

> Strimzi operator grants excessive permissions allowing Kafka Connect and MirrorMaker 2 operands to read all Kubernetes Secrets in the namespace.

- **Severity:** High 7.4 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Dec 2025
- **Updated:** 5 Dec 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xrhh-hx36-485q

## What is CVE-2025-66623?

CVE-2025-66623 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in strimzi-kafka-operator, published on 5 Dec 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Strimzi provides a way to run an Apache Kafka cluster on Kubernetes or OpenShift in various deployment configurations. From 0.47.0 and prior to 0.49.1, in some situations, Strimzi creates an incorrect Kubernetes Role which grants the Apache Kafka Connect and Apache Kafka MirrorMaker 2 operands the GET access to all Kubernetes Secrets that exist in the given Kubernetes namespace. The issue is fixed in Strimzi 0.49.1.

Weakness: CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization), CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-66623?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including io.strimzi:strimzi. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `io.strimzi:strimzi` | Maven | From 0.47.0 | 0.49.1 |
| `io.strimzi:strimzi` | Maven | From 0.47.0 | 0.49.1 |

Products: Linuxfoundation Strimzi.

## How do I fix CVE-2025-66623?

Upgrade io.strimzi:strimzi to 0.49.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2025-66623 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-66623 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in strimzi-kafka-operator

- [CVE-2026-27133](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-27133/): Strimzi All CAs from CA chain will be trusted in Kafka Connect and Kafka MirrorMaker 2 target clusters (medium 5.9)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2025-66623 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2025-66623 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in strimzi-kafka-operator, published on 5 Dec 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-66623 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven): affected from 0.47.0; fixed in 0.49.1
- io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven): affected from 0.47.0; fixed in 0.49.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-66623/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-66623/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-66623
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-66623
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2025-66623

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-66623/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.