GHSA-5pmx-7r6r-wfqq Kgateway transformation policy template can emit files from the container

Not scored Published

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

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.

PackageAffectedFixed in
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 GoAll versions2.0.5, 2.1.0
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 GoAll versions2.0.5
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 GoAll versions2.0.5
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 GoFrom 2.1.0-agw-cel-rbac2.1.0
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway/v2 GoFrom 2.1.0-agw-cel-rbac2.1.0
github.com/kgateway-dev/kgateway GoAll versionsNone

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.

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