GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq Kgateway transformation policy template can emit files from the container
Users with TrafficPolicy creation permissions can read arbitrary files from the dataplane container filesystem via crafted transformation templates.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq?
GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq is a path traversal vulnerability in github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway, published on 4 Nov 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Summary
The transformation policy template feature in Kgateway versions through 2.0.4 allows users with TrafficPolicy creation permissions to craft transformations that read and expose arbitrary files from the dataplane container filesystem.
Description
Impact
Users with permissions to create a TrafficPolicy can create a transformation that returns files from within the dataplane container. While no secrets are mounted to the container by default, users who mount custom volumes to the dataplane should be aware of potential data exposure through this vulnerability.
This could allow unauthorized access to:
- Configuration files within the container
- Custom mounted volumes and their contents
- Any files accessible to the dataplane container process
Note: Updated availability score to high, as under some configurations this can prevent xDS updates.
Patches
Upgrade to version 2.0.5 or 2.1.0. These versions include an updated transformation filter in envoy-gloo that prevents file access through transformation templates.
Workarounds
If you are not using transformations, you can disallow TrafficPolicy creation or restrict transformation usage using a ValidatingAdmissionPolicy to prevent exploitation while preparing to upgrade.
References
- Fix in 2.1.0: https://github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/pull/12528 (envoy-gloo v1.35.2-patch4)
- Backport to 2.0.5: Included in https://github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/pull/12535 (envoy-gloo v1.34.6-patch3)
- Envoy-gloo releases: https://github.com/solo-io/envoy-gloo/releases/tag/v1.35.2-patch4
- Envoy-gloo releases: https://github.com/solo-io/envoy-gloo/releases/tag/v1.34.6-patch3
Credits
Kindly reported by @rikatz
For More Information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, please reach out in slack https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C080D3PJMS4
Which versions are affected by GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq?
6 open source packages ship an affected version, including github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 and github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 Go | All versions | 2.0.5, 2.1.0 |
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 Go | All versions | 2.0.5 |
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 Go | All versions | 2.0.5 |
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 Go | From 2.1.0-agw-cel-rbac | 2.1.0 |
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 Go | From 2.1.0-agw-cel-rbac | 2.1.0 |
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway Go | All versions | None |
How do I fix GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq?
Upgrade github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 to a fixed version for your release line: 2.0.5 or 2.1.0.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GO-2025-4095.