CVE-2023-38495

Name: CVE-2023-38495
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-07-27T19:15:10.01+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 0.72%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-38495 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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. EPSS estimates a 0.72% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

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/creating privileges to administrators only.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.72%

49.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-20

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cncf	Crossplane	< 1.11.5
Cncf	Crossplane	>= 1.12.0, < 1.12.3

References

https://github.com/crossplane/crossplane/blob/ac8b24fe739c5d942ea885157148497f196c3dd3/security/ADA-security-audit-23.pdfExploit, Technical Description, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/crossplane/crossplane/security/advisories/GHSA-pj4x-2xr5-w87mVendor Advisory
https://github.com/crossplane/crossplane/blob/ac8b24fe739c5d942ea885157148497f196c3dd3/security/ADA-security-audit-23.pdfExploit, Technical Description, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/crossplane/crossplane/security/advisories/GHSA-pj4x-2xr5-w87mVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 27, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-38495?

How severe is CVE-2023-38495?

CVE-2023-38495 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.72% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38495?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-38495?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST