Istio: AuthorizationPolicy serviceAccounts regex injection via unescaped dots
Published Apr 15, 2026 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Original summary
Normalized public record · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Istio: AuthorizationPolicy serviceAccounts regex injection via unescaped dots
Publisher and source text is retained separately from QFinch interpretation.
QFinch assessment
The `serviceAccounts` and `notServiceAccounts` fields in AuthorizationPolicy incorrectly interpret dots (`.`) as a regular expression matcher. Because `.` is a valid character in a service account name, an `AuthorizationPolicy` ALLOW rule targeting SA e.g. `cert-manager.io` also matches `cert-manager-io`, `cert-managerXio`, etc. A DENY rule targeting the same name fails to block those variants.
Potential impact
The serviceAccounts and notServiceAccounts fields in AuthorizationPolicy incorrectly interpret dots (.) as a regular expression matcher. Because . is a valid character in a service account name, an AuthorizationPolicy ALLOW rule targeting SA e.g. cert-manager.io also matches cert-manager-io, cert-managerXio, etc. A DENY rule targeting the same name fails to block those variants.
Evidence: public source recordsAffected products
| Affected package, product or range | Fix status |
|---|---|
| Consult the referenced vendor advisory for affected versions. | Consult source advisory |
Matching a version is only one part of assessing exposure. QFinch has not assessed your environment on this public page.
Remediation
Apply the vendor-supported fixed release or mitigation, then verify the affected component is no longer reachable.
- Confirm the affected product and reachable code path exist in your environment.
- Apply the vendor-supported patch or mitigation from the primary advisory.
- Rescan the exact deployed revision and retain verification evidence.
Evidence coverage
- SSVC priority
- LOW
- Confidence
- Not available
- Aliases
- None reported
Scores appear only when corresponding evidence exists. Missing data is never interpreted as zero risk.
Sources and record history
Record history
Published Apr 15, 2026 · Last refreshed Nov 3, 2026