CVE-2022-36085
criticalpriority · track · 40EPSS 0.016 · 76 %ileEUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
Open Policy Agent (OPA) is an open source, general-purpose policy engine. The Rego compiler provides a (deprecated) `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function, which allows users to provide a set of built-in functions that should be deemed unsafe — and as such rejected — by the compiler if encountered in the policy compilation stage. A bypass of this protection has been found, where the use of the `with` keyword to mock such a built-in function (a feature introduced in OPA v0.40.0), isn’t taken into account by `WithUnsafeBuiltins`. Multiple conditions need to be met in order to create an adverse effect. Version 0.43.1 contains a patch for this issue. As a workaround, avoid using the `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function and use the `capabilities` feature instead.
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · high–critical · 7.4–9.8
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (4)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
- openpolicyagent open policy agent0.40.0 → 0.43.1nvdUScpe:2.3:a:openpolicyagent:open_policy_agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
advisories (2)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- GHSA-f524-rf33-2jjrOPA Compiler: Bypass of WithUnsafeBuiltins using "with" keyword to mock functions2022-09-16ghsa · osvUS
### Impact The Rego compiler provides a (deprecated) `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function, which allows users to provide a set of built-in functions that should be deemed unsafe — and as such rejected — by the compiler if encountered in the policy compilation stage. A bypass of this protection has been found, where the use of the `with` keyword to mock such a built-in function (a feature introduced in OPA v0.40.0), isn’t taken into account by `WithUnsafeBuiltins`. The same method is exposed via `rego.UnsafeBuiltins` in the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/rego` package. When provided e.g. the `http.send` built-in function to `WithUnsafeBuiltins`, the following policy would still compile, and call the `http.send` function with the arguments provided to the `is_object` function when evaluated: ```rego package policy foo := is_object({ "method": "get", "url": "https://www.openpolicyagent.org" }) allow := r { r := foo with is_object as http.send } ``` Both built-in functions and user provided (i.e. custom) functions are mockable using this construct. In addition to `http.send`, the `opa.runtime` built-in function is commonly considered unsafe in integrations where policy provided by untrusted parties is evaluated, as it risks exposing configuration, or environment variables, potentially carrying sensitive information. #### Affected Users **All of these conditions have to be met** to create an adverse effect: * Use the Go API for policy evaluation (not the OPA server, or the Go SDK) * Make use of the `WithUnsafeBuiltins` method in order to deny certain built-in functions, like e.g. `http.send`, from being used in policy evaluation. * Allow policy evaluation of policies provided by untrusted parties. * The policies evaluated include the `with` keyword to rewrite/mock a built-in, or custom, function to that of another built-in function, such as `http.send`. **Additionally, the OPA Query API** is affected: * If the OPA [Query API](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/rest-api/#query-api) is exposed to the public, and it is relied on `http.send` to be unavailable in that context. Exposing the OPA API to the public without proper [authentication and authorization](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/security/#authentication-and-authorization) in place is generally advised against. ### Patches v0.43.1, v0.44.0 ### Workarounds The `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function has been considered deprecated since the introduction of the [capabilities](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/deployments/#capabilities) feature in OPA v0.23.0 . While the function was commented as deprecated, the format of the comment was however not following the [convention](https://zchee.github.io/golang-wiki/Deprecated/) for deprecated functions, and might not have been picked up by tooling like editors. This has now been fixed. Users are still encouraged to use the capabilities feature over the deprecated `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function. **If you cannot upgrade**, consider using capabilities instead: Code like this using the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/ast` package: ```go // VULNERABLE with OPA <= 0.43.0 unsafeBuiltins := map[string]struct{}{ ast.HTTPSend.Name: struct{}{}, } compiler := ast.NewCompiler().WithUnsafeBuiltins(unsafeBuiltins) ``` needs to be changed to this: ```go caps := ast.CapabilitiesForThisVersion() var j int for i, bi := range caps.Builtins { if bi.Name == ast.HTTPSend.Name { j = i break } } caps.Builtins[j] = caps.Builtins[len(caps.Builtins)-1] // put last element into position j caps.Builtins = caps.Builtins[:len(caps.Builtins)-1] // truncate slice compiler := ast.NewCompiler().WithCapabilities(caps) ``` When using the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/rego` package: ```go // VULNERABLE with OPA <= 0.43.0 r := rego.New( // other options omitted rego.UnsafeBuiltins(map[string]struct{}{ast.HTTPSend.Name: struct{}{}}), ) ``` needs to be changed to ```go r := rego.New( // other options omitted rego.Capabilities(caps), ) ``` with `caps` defined above. Note that in the process, some error messages will change: `http.send` in this example will no longer be "unsafe" and thus forbidden, but it will simply become an "unknown function". ### References * Fix commit on `main`: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/25a597bc3f4985162e7f65f9c36599f4f8f55823 * Fix commit in 0.43.1 release: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/3e8c754ed007b22393cf65e48751ad9f6457fee8, release page for 0.43.1: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/releases/tag/v0.43.1 * Function mocking feature introduced in https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4540 and https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4616 * Documentation on the [capabilities](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/deployments/#capabilities) feature, which is the preferred way of providing a list of allowed built-in functions. The capabilities feature is **not** affected by this vulnerability. ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [Community Discussions](https://github.com/open-policy-agent/community/discussions/categories/opa-and-rego) * Ask in Slack: https://slack.openpolicyagent.org/
- GO-2022-0978Protection bypass in github.com/open-policy-agent/opa2022-09-13vendor · osvUS
Open Policy Agent (OPA) is an open source, general-purpose policy engine. The Rego compiler provides a (deprecated) WithUnsafeBuiltins function, which allows users to provide a set of built-in functions that should be deemed unsafe and rejected by the compiler if encountered in the policy compilation stage. A bypass of this protection is possible when using the "with" keyword to mock a built-in function that isn't taken into account by WithUnsafeBuiltins.
also known as (5)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (20)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2022-36085cnnvd
- https://cxsecurity.com/cveshow/CVE-2022-36085/cnnvd
- https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/25a597bc3f4985162e7f65f9c36599f4f8f55823cnnvd
- https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/3e8c754ed007b22393cf65e48751ad9f6457fee8cnnvd
- https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4540cnnvd
- https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4616cnnvd
- https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/releases/tag/v0.43.1cnnvd
- https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/security/advisories/GHSA-f524-rf33-2jjrcnnvd
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