CVE-2023-38495: Crossplane is a framework for building cloud native control planes without needing to write code

This month

HIGH 8.3UPGRADE

CVE-2023-38495 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.3) affecting crossplane. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Crossplane is a framework for building cloud native control planes without needing to write code. In versions prior to 1.11.5, 1.12.3, and 1.13.0, Crossplane's image backend does not validate the byte contents of Crossplane packages. As such, Crossplane does not detect if an attacker has tampered with a Package. The problem has been fixed in 1.11.5, 1.12.3 and 1.13.0. As a workaround, only use images from trusted sources and keep Package editing/

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.3 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 42%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2023-07-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: cncf

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-07-27 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cncf crossplane UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.11.5 · >= 1.12.0 and < 1.12.3

Fixed in: 1.11.5, 1.12.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.12.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.11.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade crossplane

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 1.12.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison crossplane sudo apt install crossplane=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.12.0> sudo apt-mark hold crossplane

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

dnf --showduplicates list crossplane sudo dnf downgrade crossplane-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.12.0> sudo dnf versionlock add crossplane

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-2023-38495?

crossplane: upgrade to 1.11.5, 1.12.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-38495 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38495 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-2023-38495 affect?

CVE-2023-38495 affects crossplane. Severity is high (CVSS 8.3). Crossplane is a framework for building cloud native control planes without needing to write code. In versions prior to 1.11.5, 1.12.3, and 1.13.0, Crossplane's image backend does not validate the byte contents of Crossplane packages. As suc

How urgent is CVE-2023-38495?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-37900 LOW 3.4 UPGRADE Crossplane is a framework for building cloud native control planes without needing to write code
CVE-2023-27484 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE crossplane-runtime is a set of go libraries used to build Kubernetes controllers in Crossplane and its related

References

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