# CVE-2025-66623: Strimzi allows unrestricted access to all Secrets in the same Kubernetes namespace from Kafka Connect and MirrorMaker 2 operands

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-66623-strimzi-provides-a-way-to-run-an-apache-kafka-cluster-on  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2025-12-05  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-66623 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.4 · Published 2025-12-05

Strimzi provides a way to run an Apache Kafka cluster on Kubernetes or OpenShift in various deployment configurations. From 0.47.0 and prior to 0.49.1, in some situations, Strimzi creates an incorrect Kubernetes Role which grants the Apache Kafka Connect and Apache Kafka MirrorMaker 2 operands the GET access to all Kubernetes Secrets that exist in the given Kubernetes namespace. The issue is fixed in Strimzi 0.49.1.

Technologies: [io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/io-strimzi-strimzi). Vendors: [Linuxfoundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/linuxfoundation), [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-66623 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-66623 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2025-66623?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.4, published 5 December 2025.

**Which products and versions are affected?** io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0.47.0,fixed=0.49.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-66623?** Yes. io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven): upgrade to 0.49.1 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-66623?** Check whether you run Linuxfoundation Strimzi or io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven): upgrade to 0.49.1 or later

  ```sh
  # set io.strimzi:strimzi to 0.49.1 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Affected products

- Linuxfoundation Strimzi
- io.strimzi:strimzi (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0.47.0,fixed=0.49.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2025-66623
- GHSA-xrhh-hx36-485q

## Related threats

- [Strimzi Kafka Operator least privilege violation in Entity Operator](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55226-strimzi-kafka-operator-least-privilege-violation-in-entity)
- [Strimzi Kafka Operator privilege escalation in Kafka.spec.entityOperator](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55225-strimzi-kafka-operator-privilege-escalation-in-kafka-spec)
- [STRIMZI incorrect access control](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-36543-strimzi-incorrect-access-control)