CVE-2022-39388
Istio may allow identity impersonation if user has localhost access
CVE-2022-39388 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.6) in Istio, published November 9, 2022. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.53%, the 45th percentile. Fixed in github.com/istio/istio 1.15.3.
- Severity
- 7.6 HighCVSS 3.1, CVE List
- Exploit chance
- 0.53%EPSS, 45th percentile
- Exploitation
- None knownNot on CISA’s or ENISA’s lists
- Fixed in
1.15.3github.com/istio/istio
Description
Istio is an open platform to connect, manage, and secure microservices. In versions on the 1.15.x branch prior to 1.15.3, a user can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane. Version 1.15.3 contains a patch for this issue. There are no known workarounds.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Adjacent network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
github.com/istio/istioGo | 1.15.0-beta.0 up to 1.15.3 | 1.15.3 |
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Istio may allow identity impersonation if user has localhost access
Istio is an open platform to connect, manage, and secure microservices. In versions on the 1.15.x branch prior to 1.15.3, a user can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane. Version 1.15.3 contains a patch for this issue. There are no known workarounds.
- Record
CVE-2022-39388- CVSS 3.1
- 7.6 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2022-7256
Istio is an open platform to connect, manage, and secure microservices. In versions on the 1.15.x branch prior to 1.15.3, a user can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane. Version 1.15.3 contains a patch for this issue. There are no known workarounds.
- Record
EUVD-2022-7256- CVSS 3.1
- 7.6 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-6c6p-h79f-g6p4
Istio may allow identity impersonation if user has localhost access
Impact
User can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane.
Patches
1.15.3
Workarounds
No. If using 1.15.2 please upgrade to 1.15.3 or later.
References
None at this time.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, please email us at istio-security-vulnerability-reports@googlegroups.com
- Record
GHSA-6c6p-h79f-g6p4- CVSS 3.1
- 7.6 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
Istio is an open platform to connect, manage, and secure microservices. In versions on the 1.15.x branch prior to 1.15.3, a user can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane. Version 1.15.3 contains a patch for this issue. There are no known workarounds.
- Record
CVE-2022-39388- CVSS 3.1
- 7.6 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 3.5 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
Istio may allow identity impersonation if user has localhost access
Istio is an open platform to connect, manage, and secure microservices. In versions on the 1.15.x branch prior to 1.15.3, a user can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane. Version 1.15.3 contains a patch for this issue. There are no known workarounds.
- Record
CVE-2022-39388- CVSS 3.1
- 7.6 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-6c6p-h79f-g6p4
Istio may allow identity impersonation if user has localhost access
Impact
User can impersonate any workload identity within the service mesh if they have localhost access to the Istiod control plane.
Patches
1.15.3
Workarounds
No. If using 1.15.2 please upgrade to 1.15.3 or later.
References
None at this time.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, please email us at istio-security-vulnerability-reports@googlegroups.com
- Record
GHSA-6c6p-h79f-g6p4- CVSS 3.1
- 7.6 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
References
github.com/istio/istio/security/advisories/GHSA-6c6p-h79f-g6p4
istio.io/latest/news/releases/1.15.x/announcing-1.15.3
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39388