GHSA-xg4h-6gfc-h4m8
etcd: Watch API authorization bypass via open-ended range requests
Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go | go.etcd.io/etcd/v3 | >= 3.7.0-alpha.0, < 3.7.1 | 3.7.1 |
| Go | go.etcd.io/etcd/v3 | >= 3.6.0, < 3.6.14 | 3.6.14 |
| Go | go.etcd.io/etcd/v3 | < 3.5.33 | 3.5.33 |
Details
As written in the advisory (Markdown source, shown as plain text).
### 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](https://github.com/lobuhi) on Github)
- Anthropic and Adam Korczynski ([@AdamKorcz](https://github.com/AdamKorcz) on Github)
References
External links from the advisory. They lead to third-party sites.
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/security/advisories/GHSA-xg4h-6gfc-h4m8
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/commit/6643f80602461a6095c9b294b6512fd9719bef41
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/commit/afeaa624da19085b47fb5ccc7c22a8c421bc2eae
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/commit/e863b001bbf3367003a543aa3099db9892134cd7
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/releases/tag/v3.5.33
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/releases/tag/v3.6.14
- https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/releases/tag/v3.7.1