CVE-2025-13888: Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2025-13888 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.1) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment) affecting Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves openshift gitops authenticated attackers can obtain cluster root access through forged argocd custom resources. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.16.2.
CVE-2025-13888 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.1
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2025-13888
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
Upgrade github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator to 1.16.2Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
inspect dependencies for github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operatorHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2025-13888, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator:
inspect dependencies for github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operatorAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.16.2), your application is affected.
Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment, where a product incorrectly assigns a privilege to a particular actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. In Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2025-13888 Affected Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator
|
Go |
< 1.16.2
|
1.16.2
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2025-13888?
Which Github.com/redhat developer/gitops operator versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2025-13888?
Is github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-13888?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2025-13888?
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2025-13888?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-pcqx-8qww-7f4v",
"modified" : "2026-01-22T18:30:29Z",
"published" : "2025-12-15T18:30:39Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2025-13888" ],
"summary" : "OpenShift GitOps authenticated attackers can obtain cluster root access through forged ArgoCD custom resources",
"details" : "A flaw was found in OpenShift GitOps. Namespace admins can create ArgoCD Custom Resources (CRs) that trick the system into granting them elevated permissions in other namespaces, including privileged namespaces. An authenticated attacker can then use these elevated permissions to create privileged workloads that run on master nodes, effectively giving them root access to the entire cluster.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.16.2"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-13888"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator/pull/897"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator/commit/bc6ac3e03d7c8b3db5d8f1770c868396a4c2dcef"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23203"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23206"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23207"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1017"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-13888"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2418361"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/redhat-developer/gitops-operator/releases/tag/v1.16.2"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-266" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2025-12-16T20:11:04Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2025-12-15T16:15:50Z"
}
}