CVE-2023-2728: Users may be able to launch containers that bypass the mountable secrets policy enforced by the ServiceAccount

This month

MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2023-2728 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting kubernetes. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Users may be able to launch containers that bypass the mountable secrets policy enforced by the ServiceAccount admission plugin when using ephemeral containers. The policy ensures pods running with a service account may only reference secrets specified in the service account’s secrets field. Kubernetes clusters are only affected if the ServiceAccount admission plugin and the `kubernetes.io/enforce-mountable-secrets` annotation are used together w

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2023-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Kubernetes · Vendor: kubernetes

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-07-03 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kubernetes kubernetes UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.24.14 · >= 1.25.0 and <= 1.25.10 · >= 1.26.0 and <= 1.26.5 · >= 1.27.0 and <= 1.27.2

Fixed in: newer than 1.27.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.25.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kubernetes || rpm -q kubernetes || kubernetes --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.27.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade kubernetes

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade kubernetes

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.25.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kubernetes sudo apt install kubernetes=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.25.0> sudo apt-mark hold kubernetes

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list kubernetes sudo dnf downgrade kubernetes-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.25.0> sudo dnf versionlock add kubernetes

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-2728?

kubernetes: upgrade to newer than 1.27.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-2728 being exploited?

CVE-2023-2728 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-2728 affect?

CVE-2023-2728 affects kubernetes. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Users may be able to launch containers that bypass the mountable secrets policy enforced by the ServiceAccount admission plugin when using ephemeral containers. The policy ensures pods running with a service account may only reference secre

How urgent is CVE-2023-2728?

Priority 48/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Kubernetes vulnerabilities

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References

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