CVE-2020-8553
MEDIUMThe Kubernetes ingress-nginx component prior to version 0.28.0 allows a user with the ability to create namespaces and to read and create ingress objects to overwrite the password file…
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Description
The Kubernetes ingress-nginx component prior to version 0.28.0 allows a user with the ability to create namespaces and to read and create ingress objects to overwrite the password file of another ingress which uses nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/auth-type: basic and which has a hyphenated namespace or secret name.
Affected Products
ingress-nginxkubernetesDetection & mitigation playbook
Vendor / applianceDetect
Inventory every kubernetes ingress-nginx deployment and check each version against the affected-products list above. Because the exploit targets the running system rather than your application code, also watch for exploitation at the network and runtime layer — O3 flags the exploit behaviour from runtime telemetry and egress traffic even before a vulnerable build is confirmed.
Fix
Apply the kubernetes ingress-nginx security patch or hotfix for CVE-2020-8553 on the affected version, following the vendor advisory for your exact build.
Workarounds
Cut exposure now: restrict the management/admin interface to trusted networks, segment the device, and apply the vendor's recommended configuration mitigations and any WAF/IPS signature. O3's runtime protection blocks the exploit chain at execution, holding the line on unpatched or end-of-life systems until you can patch.
How O3 protects you
O3 detects and blocks CVE-2020-8553 exploitation at runtime: eBPF exploit-chain detection, plus L7 egress monitoring that catches the post-exploitation callback and severs the attacker's outbound channel.
Tailored to CVE-2020-8553. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2020-8553 being exploited in your environment?
O3's eBPF runtime sensors and L7 egress monitoring detect and block the CVE-2020-8553 exploit chain at execution — protecting unpatched and end-of-life systems until the vendor patch is applied.