CVE-2024-36540

Name: CVE-2024-36540
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2024-07-24T17:15:10.827+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 0.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2024-36540 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Insecure permissions in external-secrets v0.9.16 allows attackers to access sensitive data and escalate privileges by obtaining the service account's token.. EPSS estimates a 0.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Insecure permissions in external-secrets v0.9.16 allows attackers to access sensitive data and escalate privileges by obtaining the service account's token.

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

0.42%

33.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-277

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
External-Secrets	External Secrets Operator	0.9.16

References

https://gist.github.com/HouqiyuA/a4834f3c8450f9d89e2bc4d5c4beef6aThird Party Advisory
https://gist.github.com/HouqiyuA/a4834f3c8450f9d89e2bc4d5c4beef6aThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 24, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-36540?

Insecure permissions in external-secrets v0.9.16 allows attackers to access sensitive data and escalate privileges by obtaining the service account's token.

How severe is CVE-2024-36540?

CVE-2024-36540 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2024-36540?

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-2024-36540?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST