NULL Pointer Dereference in Kubernetes CSI snapshot-controllerGHSA-hwrr-rhmm-vcvf
MEDIUMGHSA-hwrr-rhmm-vcvf is a medium-severity (CVSS 6.5) NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability in github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2. 1 public exploit reference exists, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2 — see the affected versions and patch details below.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
GHSA-hwrr-rhmm-vcvf by exploitation likelihood (EPSS) against impact (CVSS). Outside the shaded patch-first corner.
Where this sits among everything scored
Of 385,987 CVEs with a current EPSS score, this one falls in the < 10% band (highlighted). Counts from FIRST.org, log-scaled.
Real-World Exposure
github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2🐹github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v3Real-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Go packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Kubernetes CSI snapshot-controller prior to v2.1.3 and v3.0.2 could panic when processing a VolumeSnapshot custom resource when:
- The VolumeSnapshot referenced a non-existing PersistentVolumeClaim and the VolumeSnapshot did not reference any VolumeSnapshotClass.
- The snapshot-controller crashes, is automatically restarted by Kubernetes, and processes the same VolumeSnapshot custom resource after the restart, entering an endless crashloop.
Only the volume snapshot feature is affected by this vulnerability. When exploited, users can’t take snapshots of their volumes or delete the snapshots. All other Kubernetes functionality is not affected.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐹Go | github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2 | ≥ 2.0.0&&< 2.1.3 | 2.1.3go get github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2@v2.1.3 |
| 🐹Go | github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v3 | ≥ 3.0.0&&< 3.0.2 | 3.0.2go get github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v3@v3.0.2 |
Affected Products
container storage interface snapshotterkubernetesResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update github.com/kubernetes-csi/external-snapshotter/v2 to 2.1.3 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-hwrr-rhmm-vcvf is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-hwrr-rhmm-vcvf in your dependencies?
Find it across Go, including transitive dependencies.