CVE-2026-33343
mediumpriority · track · 26OT risk · elevatedEPSS 0.002 · 12 %ileDEEURUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
etcd is a distributed key-value store for the data of a distributed system. Prior to versions 3.4.42, 3.5.28, and 3.6.9, an authenticated user with RBAC restricted permissions on key ranges can use nested transactions to bypass all key-level authorization. This allows any authenticated user with direct access to etcd to effectively ignore all key range restrictions, accessing the entire etcd data store. Kubernetes does not rely on etcd’s built-in authentication and authorization. Instead, the API server handles authentication and authorization itself, so typical Kubernetes deployments are not affected. Versions 3.4.42, 3.5.28, and 3.6.9 contain a patch. If upgrading is not immediately possible, reduce exposure by treating the affected RPCs as unauthenticated in practice. Restrict network access to etcd server ports so only trusted components can connect and require strong client identity at the transport layer, such as mTLS with tightly scoped client certificate distribution.
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · none–medium · 0–6.5
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (36)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (4)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- WID-SEC-W-2026-0818etcd: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Umgehen von SicherheitsvorkehrungenDeutsch2026-03-22csaf · cert_bundDE
Ein Angreifer kann eine Schwachstellen in etcd ausnutzen, um Sicherheitsvorkehrungen zu umgehen.
- GHSA-rfx7-8w68-q57qetcd: Nested etcd transactions bypass RBAC authorization checks2026-03-20ghsa · osvUS
### Impact _What kind of vulnerability is it? Who is impacted?_ An authenticated user with RBAC restricted permissions on key ranges can use nested transactions to bypass all key-level authorization. This allows any authenticated user with direct access to etcd to effectively ignore all key range restrictions, accessing the entire etcd data store. Kubernetes does not rely on etcd’s built-in authentication and authorization. Instead, the API server handles authentication and authorization itself, so typical Kubernetes deployments are not affected. ### Patches _Has the problem been patched? What versions should users upgrade to?_ This vulnerability is patched in the following versions: * etcd 3.6.9 * etcd 3.5.28 * etcd 3.4.42 ### Workarounds _Is there a way for users to fix or remediate the vulnerability without upgrading?_ If upgrading is not immediately possible, reduce exposure by treating the affected RPCs as unauthenticated in practice. * restrict network access to etcd server ports so only trusted components can connect * require strong client identity at the transport layer, such as mTLS with tightly scoped client certificate distribution ### Reporters _Our community helps keep etcd secure_ SIG-Etcd thanks community members Luke Francis and Battulga Byambaa for reporting this vulnerability.
- BIT-etcd-2026-33343etcd: Nested etcd transactions bypass RBAC authorization checks2026-03-27vendor · osvUS
etcd is a distributed key-value store for the data of a distributed system. Prior to versions 3.4.42, 3.5.28, and 3.6.9, an authenticated user with RBAC restricted permissions on key ranges can use nested transactions to bypass all key-level authorization. This allows any authenticated user with direct access to etcd to effectively ignore all key range restrictions, accessing the entire etcd data store. Kubernetes does not rely on etcd’s built-in authentication and authorization. Instead, the API server handles authentication and authorization itself, so typical Kubernetes deployments are not affected. Versions 3.4.42, 3.5.28, and 3.6.9 contain a patch. If upgrading is not immediately possible, reduce exposure by treating the affected RPCs as unauthenticated in practice. Restrict network access to etcd server ports so only trusted components can connect and require strong client identity at the transport layer, such as mTLS with tightly scoped client certificate distribution.
- GO-2026-4808Nested etcd transactions bypass RBAC authorization checks in go.etcd.io/etcd2026-04-07vendor · osvUS
Nested etcd transactions bypass RBAC authorization checks in go.etcd.io/etcd
also known as (8)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (5)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/releasesPatchcnnvd
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/security/advisories/GHSA-rfx7-8w68-q57qcnnvd
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-33343cnnvd
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/security/advisories/GHSA-rfx7-8w68-q57qenisa_euvd
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/security/advisories/GHSA-rfx7-8w68-q57qMitigationVendor Advisorynvd
Attackers weaponise vulnerabilities like this against internet-exposed services. See what is exposed on your perimeter with a free passive scan.
Free scan