CVE-2026-126643
Aap-gateway-operator: resource-server secret exposed in plaintext in the automationcontroller custom resource
- Medium 6.5
Description
A cleartext storage flaw was found in the AAP Gateway Operator. When reconciling an AutomationController, the operator reads the protected resource-server Secret (Secret/<aap-name>-resource-server, key controller_resource_server_secret) and copies its plaintext value into the generated AutomationController custom resource under spec.extra_settings (RESOURCE_SERVER.SECRET_KEY). Although the operator uses no_log to keep the value out of its own logs, serializing it into the custom resource exposes it to any principal able to read the AutomationController CR without permission to read the backing Kubernetes Secret, breaking the expected OpenShift RBAC separation between the two resources. The value may also propagate into Kubernetes API/etcd storage, GitOps and Argo diffs and history, rendered manifests, support bundles, and audit data. The resource-server secret is intended for trusted Gateway-to-Controller service authentication, and its disclosure may allow a user to impersonate a trusted Controller service and reach privileged service-index APIs.
Key facts
- Published
- 12 Nov 2026
- Last changed
- 12 Nov 2026
- Assigned by
- redhat
- EPSS
- 0.169% likely to be exploited in the next 30 days, higher than 6.322% of CVEs (scores for 15 Nov 2026)
Severity scores
Each score is shown as its source gave it. They are not averaged or merged.
- 6.5CVSS 3.1, Mediumfrom the CNA (redhat)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
What to do
- Restrict OpenShift RBAC so that permission to read AutomationController custom resources is limited to principals already trusted to read the corresponding Kubernetes Secrets. Rotate the resource-server secret if untrusted principals may have been able to read the custom resource.CNA workaround statement
Historical context and remediation
This reference retains the original CVE publication date. A recent record update does not mean a new attack occurred.
No separately sourced impact summary is available on this page yet. Consult the description, version data and dated exploitation evidence.
Version statuses below come from the CNA. An “unaffected” version is not necessarily a currently supported release or proof of a patch date. EPSS is a dated risk estimate, not a count of historical attacks.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2 |
|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2 |
|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2 |
|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2 |
|
Timeline
- 11 Nov 2026 Reported to Red Hat.
- 11 Nov 2026 Made public.
- 12 Nov 2026 Published