Ansible Operator Plugins Vulnerable to Jinja2 Template Injection in Kubernetes
A high-severity flaw in Ansible Operator Plugins allows low-privileged users to execute code and escalate privileges within Red Hat Kubernetes stacks.
Key points
- CVE-2026-92982 is rated high severity with a CVSS score of 8.5.
- The flaw enables arbitrary code execution via unsanitized Jinja2 templates.
- Multiple Red Hat Kubernetes management products are affected by this issue.
Ansible Operator Plugins contain a high-severity vulnerability that permits privilege escalation for low-privileged Kubernetes users. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious Jinja2 templates into custom resource specifications. These inputs are processed without proper sanitization, leading to code execution within the operator pod.
Root cause
The vulnerability stems from how Ansible handles custom resource data. According to the NVD record, the weakness is classified as CWE-1336. When users provide specification values, the system processes embedded Jinja2 expressions directly. This lack of proper sanitization allows the execution of arbitrary code inside the container running the operator.
Attack path
An attacker with low-privileged access can craft a custom resource containing malicious Jinja2 code. When the Ansible operator processes this resource, it executes the embedded expressions. This action grants the attacker control over the operator's service account. The compromised account holds cluster-wide permissions, enabling privilege escalation across the environment.
Affected versions
The following Red Hat products are impacted by CVE-2026-92982:
- Red Hat Migration Toolkit for Applications 8
- Red Hat Migration Toolkit for Containers
- Red Hat Migration Toolkit for Virtualization
- Red Hat OpenShift Service Mesh 3
- Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes 2
Mitigation
- Audit all custom resource definitions for unexpected Jinja2 syntax.
- Restrict permissions for users who can create or modify custom resources.
- Monitor operator pods for unauthorized process execution or network connections.
- Ensure that only supported versions of the listed Red Hat tools are running.
Detection notes
Security teams usually detect this activity by reviewing Kubernetes audit logs for unusual custom resource creation. Look for resources containing complex template syntax or external variable references. Check operator container logs for unexpected command executions or file modifications. If suspicious activity is found, isolate the affected pod immediately. Review service account tokens to ensure they have not been compromised. Validate that all resource changes align with known deployment patterns.
What to do and how to stay safe: Ansible
- Review Kubernetes audit logs for custom resources containing Jinja2 template syntax.
- Restrict RBAC permissions to prevent low-privileged users from modifying operator resources.
- Monitor operator pod processes for unexpected execution or network activity.
- Once the vendor provides an update, apply patches to all affected Red Hat components.
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General security guidance from the BlueTeam Insider newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-92982?
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.5, which is rated as high severity.
Which Red Hat products are affected by this flaw?
Affected products include Migration Toolkits for Applications, Containers, and Virtualization, OpenShift Service Mesh 3, and Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes 2.
How does an attacker exploit this vulnerability?
Attackers craft malicious custom resource values with Jinja2 expressions that are executed without sanitization by Ansible.
