## Summary A namespaced `FeatureFlagSource` or `InProcessConfiguration` resource can be referenced cross-namespace via the `openfeature.dev/featureflagsource` annotation using the documented `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` syntax. The operator resolves the referenced resource cluster-wide and materializes its contents (env vars, flagd sidecar arguments including `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs, supporting ConfigMaps) into the referencing workload. On multi-tenant clusters that treat namespaces as trust boundaries, a tenant who can deploy a controller-owned workload in their own namespace can cause the operator to read another tenant's `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents. ## Impact - **Single-tenant clusters**: not impacted. - **Multi-tenant clusters using namespaces as trust boundaries**: tenant-to-tenant disclosure of any data placed inline in `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec, including `spec.envVars` literal values, `spec.httpSyncBearerToken`, and sync URIs. ## Behavior is documented The cross-namespace `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` annotation syntax is intentional and documented in [`docs/annotations.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/annotations.md) and [`docs/feature_flag_source.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/feature_flag_source.md). The operator's cluster-wide RBAC scope is intentional. Namespace-as-trust-boundary is not part of the operator's current stated security model. This advisory makes the tenancy assumption explicit and tracks the architectural change that will eliminate the implicit cross-namespace pattern. ## Corrections to the original report Two technical points in the original report require correction: 1. **`secretKeyRef` / `configMapKeyRef` cross-namespace disclosure is not possible via this path.** Kubelet resolves these as `LocalObjectReference` against the pod's own namespace; the operator does not bypass that. The actual disclosure surface is `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents the operator itself materializes (inline `envVars` values, `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs). 2. **`create featureflagsources` is not a prerequisite.** The webhook rejects pods without OwnerReferences ([`pod_webhook.go:75-77`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/internal/webhook/pod_webhook.go#L75)), so the prerequisite is `create` on a workload controller (`deployments`, `statefulsets`, `daemonsets`, `jobs`, `cronjobs`, `replicasets`) in a namespace the attacker controls. `FeatureFlagSource` create in any namespace is not required. ## Mitigations As with any Kubernetes CRD, treat the spec content of `FeatureFlagSource` and `InProcessConfiguration` as readable by anyone with read access to the resource, and don't place plaintext secrets in CR spec fields. Fields most likely to bite users: - `spec.sources[].source`, when the URI embeds credentials (e.g. `https://user:pass@host/repo`) - `spec.sources[].certPath`, if the path itself is sensitive - inline `spec.envVars[].value` (use `valueFrom.secretKeyRef` instead; kubelet enforces same-namespace resolution and the secret value is not stored in the CR) If developers treat namespaces as trust boundaries: - restrict `create` on `featureflagsources` / `inprocessconfigurations` via RBAC where feasible, ## Roadmap A future release will introduce explicit cluster-scoped CRDs (`ClusterFeatureFlagSource`, `ClusterInProcessConfiguration`) and remove implicit cross-namespace resolution. This is a breaking change tracked in [#847](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/issues/847). ## Precedent This class of issue (authenticated namespace tenant abuses an unenforced cluster-wide surface that crosses an assumed namespace boundary) has Kubernetes precedent: CVE-2020-8554 (External IPs) was accepted as documented posture and mitigated via an opt-in admission plugin. ## Credit Reported by @0xVijay. Thanks for the disclosure. This appears to be an example of https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/668.html. In terms of how it ended up here, it's more of an unimplemented security feature than an "bug". It seems to deviate from reasonable expectations and conventions in the K8s ecosystem. See https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2020-8554 as an example of a comparable vulnerability.
## Summary A namespaced `FeatureFlagSource` or `InProcessConfiguration` resource can be referenced cross-namespace via the `openfeature.dev/featureflagsource` annotation using the documented `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` syntax. The operator resolves the referenced resource cluster-wide and materializes its contents (env vars, flagd sidecar arguments including `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs, supporting ConfigMaps) into the referencing workload. On multi-tenant clusters that treat namespaces as trust boundaries, a tenant who can deploy a controller-owned workload in their own namespace can cause the operator to read another tenant's `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents. ## Impact - **Single-tenant clusters**: not impacted. - **Multi-tenant clusters using namespaces as trust boundaries**: tenant-to-tenant disclosure of any data placed inline in `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec, including `spec.envVars` literal values, `spec.httpSyncBearerToken`, and sync URIs. ## Behavior is documented The cross-namespace `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` annotation syntax is intentional and documented in [`docs/annotations.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/annotations.md) and [`docs/feature_flag_source.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/feature_flag_source.md). The operator's cluster-wide RBAC scope is intentional. Namespace-as-trust-boundary is not part of the operator's current stated security model. This advisory makes the tenancy assumption explicit and tracks the architectural change that will eliminate the implicit cross-namespace pattern. ## Corrections to the original report Two technical points in the original report require correction: 1. **`secretKeyRef` / `configMapKeyRef` cross-namespace disclosure is not possible via this path.** Kubelet resolves these as `LocalObjectReference` against the pod's own namespace; the operator does not bypass that. The actual disclosure surface is `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents the operator itself materializes (inline `envVars` values, `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs). 2. **`create featureflagsources` is not a prerequisite.** The webhook rejects pods without OwnerReferences ([`pod_webhook.go:75-77`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/internal/webhook/pod_webhook.go#L75)), so the prerequisite is `create` on a workload controller (`deployments`, `statefulsets`, `daemonsets`, `jobs`, `cronjobs`, `replicasets`) in a namespace the attacker controls. `FeatureFlagSource` create in any namespace is not required. ## Mitigations As with any Kubernetes CRD, treat the spec content of `FeatureFlagSource` and `InProcessConfiguration` as readable by anyone with read access to the resource, and don't place plaintext secrets in CR spec fields. Fields most likely to bite users: - `spec.sources[].source`, when the URI embeds credentials (e.g. `https://user:pass@host/repo`) - `spec.sources[].certPath`, if the path itself is sensitive - inline `spec.envVars[].value` (use `valueFrom.secretKeyRef` instead; kubelet enforces same-namespace resolution and the secret value is not stored in the CR) If developers treat namespaces as trust boundaries: - restrict `create` on `featureflagsources` / `inprocessconfigurations` via RBAC where feasible, ## Roadmap A future release will introduce explicit cluster-scoped CRDs (`ClusterFeatureFlagSource`, `ClusterInProcessConfiguration`) and remove implicit cross-namespace resolution. This is a breaking change tracked in [#847](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/issues/847). ## Precedent This class of issue (authenticated namespace tenant abuses an unenforced cluster-wide surface that crosses an assumed namespace boundary) has Kubernetes precedent: CVE-2020-8554 (External IPs) was accepted as documented posture and mitigated via an opt-in admission plugin. ## Credit Reported by @0xVijay. Thanks for the disclosure. This appears to be an example of https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/668.html. In terms of how it ended up here, it's more of an unimplemented security feature than an "bug". It seems to deviate from reasonable expectations and conventions in the K8s ecosystem. See https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2020-8554 as an example of a comparable vulnerability.
Monitor this advisory for an available fix and review any installs of the affected package.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanopen-feature-operator: Cross-namespace FeatureFlagSource and InProcessConfiguration resolution exposes spec contents on multi-tenant clusters affects github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator (go). Severity is medium. ## Summary A namespaced `FeatureFlagSource` or `InProcessConfiguration` resource can be referenced cross-namespace via the `openfeature.dev/featureflagsource` annotation using the documented `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` syntax. The operator resolves the referenced resource cluster-wide and materializes its contents (env vars, flagd sidecar arguments including `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs, supporting ConfigMaps) into the referencing workload. On multi-tenant clusters that treat namespaces as trust boundaries, a tenant who can deploy a controller-owned workload in their own namespace can cause the operator to read another tenant's `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents. ## Impact - **Single-tenant clusters**: not impacted. - **Multi-tenant clusters using namespaces as trust boundaries**: tenant-to-tenant disclosure of any data placed inline in `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec, including `spec.envVars` literal values, `spec.httpSyncBearerToken`, and sync URIs. ## Behavior is documented The cross-namespace `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` annotation syntax is intentional and documented in [`docs/annotations.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/annotations.md) and [`docs/feature_flag_source.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/feature_flag_source.md). The operator's cluster-wide RBAC scope is intentional. Namespace-as-trust-boundary is not part of the operator's current stated security model. This advisory makes the tenancy assumption explicit and tracks the architectural change that will eliminate the implicit cross-namespace pattern. ## Corrections to the original report Two technical points in the original report require correction: 1. **`secretKeyRef` / `configMapKeyRef` cross-namespace disclosure is not possible via this path.** Kubelet resolves these as `LocalObjectReference` against the pod's own namespace; the operator does not bypass that. The actual disclosure surface is `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents the operator itself materializes (inline `envVars` values, `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs). 2. **`create featureflagsources` is not a prerequisite.** The webhook rejects pods without OwnerReferences ([`pod_webhook.go:75-77`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/internal/webhook/pod_webhook.go#L75)), so the prerequisite is `create` on a workload controller (`deployments`, `statefulsets`, `daemonsets`, `jobs`, `cronjobs`, `replicasets`) in a namespace the attacker controls. `FeatureFlagSource` create in any namespace is not required. ## Mitigations As with any Kubernetes CRD, treat the spec content of `FeatureFlagSource` and `InProcessConfiguration` as readable by anyone with read access to the resource, and don't place plaintext secrets in CR spec fields. Fields most likely to bite users: - `spec.sources[].source`, when the URI embeds credentials (e.g. `https://user:pass@host/repo`) - `spec.sources[].certPath`, if the path itself is sensitive - inline `spec.envVars[].value` (use `valueFrom.secretKeyRef` instead; kubelet enforces same-namespace resolution and the secret value is not stored in the CR) If developers treat namespaces as trust boundaries: - restrict `create` on `featureflagsources` / `inprocessconfigurations` via RBAC where feasible, ## Roadmap A future release will introduce explicit cluster-scoped CRDs (`ClusterFeatureFlagSource`, `ClusterInProcessConfiguration`) and remove implicit cross-namespace resolution. This is a breaking change tracked in [#847](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/issues/847). ## Precedent This class of issue (authenticated namespace tenant abuses an unenforced cluster-wide surface that crosses an assumed namespace boundary) has Kubernetes precedent: CVE-2020-8554 (External IPs) was accepted as documented posture and mitigated via an opt-in admission plugin. ## Credit Reported by @0xVijay. Thanks for the disclosure. This appears to be an example of https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/668.html. In terms of how it ended up here, it's more of an unimplemented security feature than an "bug". It seems to deviate from reasonable expectations and conventions in the K8s ecosystem. See https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2020-8554 as an example of a comparable vulnerability.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in go. A medium vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operatorgo | <=0.9.2 | Not reported |
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL GuardMonitor this advisory for an available fix and review any installs of the affected package.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanopen-feature-operator: Cross-namespace FeatureFlagSource and InProcessConfiguration resolution exposes spec contents on multi-tenant clusters affects github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator (go). Severity is medium. ## Summary A namespaced `FeatureFlagSource` or `InProcessConfiguration` resource can be referenced cross-namespace via the `openfeature.dev/featureflagsource` annotation using the documented `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` syntax. The operator resolves the referenced resource cluster-wide and materializes its contents (env vars, flagd sidecar arguments including `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs, supporting ConfigMaps) into the referencing workload. On multi-tenant clusters that treat namespaces as trust boundaries, a tenant who can deploy a controller-owned workload in their own namespace can cause the operator to read another tenant's `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents. ## Impact - **Single-tenant clusters**: not impacted. - **Multi-tenant clusters using namespaces as trust boundaries**: tenant-to-tenant disclosure of any data placed inline in `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec, including `spec.envVars` literal values, `spec.httpSyncBearerToken`, and sync URIs. ## Behavior is documented The cross-namespace `{NAMESPACE}/{NAME}` annotation syntax is intentional and documented in [`docs/annotations.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/annotations.md) and [`docs/feature_flag_source.md`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/docs/feature_flag_source.md). The operator's cluster-wide RBAC scope is intentional. Namespace-as-trust-boundary is not part of the operator's current stated security model. This advisory makes the tenancy assumption explicit and tracks the architectural change that will eliminate the implicit cross-namespace pattern. ## Corrections to the original report Two technical points in the original report require correction: 1. **`secretKeyRef` / `configMapKeyRef` cross-namespace disclosure is not possible via this path.** Kubelet resolves these as `LocalObjectReference` against the pod's own namespace; the operator does not bypass that. The actual disclosure surface is `FeatureFlagSource` / `InProcessConfiguration` spec contents the operator itself materializes (inline `envVars` values, `httpSyncBearerToken`, sync URIs). 2. **`create featureflagsources` is not a prerequisite.** The webhook rejects pods without OwnerReferences ([`pod_webhook.go:75-77`](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/blob/main/internal/webhook/pod_webhook.go#L75)), so the prerequisite is `create` on a workload controller (`deployments`, `statefulsets`, `daemonsets`, `jobs`, `cronjobs`, `replicasets`) in a namespace the attacker controls. `FeatureFlagSource` create in any namespace is not required. ## Mitigations As with any Kubernetes CRD, treat the spec content of `FeatureFlagSource` and `InProcessConfiguration` as readable by anyone with read access to the resource, and don't place plaintext secrets in CR spec fields. Fields most likely to bite users: - `spec.sources[].source`, when the URI embeds credentials (e.g. `https://user:pass@host/repo`) - `spec.sources[].certPath`, if the path itself is sensitive - inline `spec.envVars[].value` (use `valueFrom.secretKeyRef` instead; kubelet enforces same-namespace resolution and the secret value is not stored in the CR) If developers treat namespaces as trust boundaries: - restrict `create` on `featureflagsources` / `inprocessconfigurations` via RBAC where feasible, ## Roadmap A future release will introduce explicit cluster-scoped CRDs (`ClusterFeatureFlagSource`, `ClusterInProcessConfiguration`) and remove implicit cross-namespace resolution. This is a breaking change tracked in [#847](https://github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operator/issues/847). ## Precedent This class of issue (authenticated namespace tenant abuses an unenforced cluster-wide surface that crosses an assumed namespace boundary) has Kubernetes precedent: CVE-2020-8554 (External IPs) was accepted as documented posture and mitigated via an opt-in admission plugin. ## Credit Reported by @0xVijay. Thanks for the disclosure. This appears to be an example of https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/668.html. In terms of how it ended up here, it's more of an unimplemented security feature than an "bug". It seems to deviate from reasonable expectations and conventions in the K8s ecosystem. See https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2020-8554 as an example of a comparable vulnerability.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in go. A medium vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| github.com/open-feature/open-feature-operatorgo | <=0.9.2 | Not reported |
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard