GHSA-xg4h-6gfc-h4m8: etcd: Watch API authorization bypass via open-ended range requests
Impact
_What kind of vulnerability is it? Who is impacted?_
A user granted READ permission on a single, exact key can use the Watch gRPC API with clientv3.WithFromKey() (an open-ended, "from this key to the end of the keyspace" watch) to receive watch events for every key lexicographically greater than or equal to their permitted key — not just the one key they were granted.
This is an authorization bypass in etcd's RBAC enforcement for the Watch API; Range/Get and DeleteRange requests are not affected. It only affects clusters with authentication enabled — clusters running without auth already allow unrestricted read access.
Patches
_Has the problem been patched? What versions should users upgrade to?_
This vulnerability is patched in the following versions:
- etcd 3.7.1
- etcd 3.6.14
- etcd 3.5.33
Workarounds
_Is there a way for users to fix or remediate the vulnerability without upgrading?_
If upgrading is not immediately possible, the following mitigations reduce exposure:
- Audit READ grants. Any READ grant — even on one key — can be leveraged via Watch to read everything after it. Review who holds READ permissions and revoke/tighten any you wouldn't trust with full read access.
- Restrict network access. Limit which hosts can reach etcd's client (gRPC) port via firewall rules or network policy, reducing who can attempt exploitation.
Reporter
- Luis Toro (@lobuhi on Github)
- Anthropic and Adam Korczynski (@AdamKorcz on Github)
Details
Original advisory: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-xg4h-6gfc-h4m8
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