CVE-2026-97146 Apache Software Foundation CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders managing Apache YuniKorn deployments, particularly those using versions 1.9.0 or earlier, should assess exposure and prioritize upgrading to version 1.10.0. Kubernetes administrators and security teams responsible for quota management and access control should verify and restrict access to pod labels and annotations.

Why it matters

Defenders should care about CVE-2026-97146 because it allows admission control bypass via system label forgery in Apache YuniKorn 1.9.0 and earlier. This vulnerability can lead to potential unauthorized access to queues, impact quota usage, and sidestep user quota tracking. Defenders managing Apache YuniKorn deployments should assess exposure and prioritize upgrading to version 1.10.0.

• Potential unauthorized access to queues
• Impact on quota usage for queues
• Sidestepping of user quota tracking

Technical summary

Apache YuniKorn 1.9.0 and earlier allows bypassing the check for the user annotation by setting a secondary label on the pod. If the pod has the label 'app=yunikorn', the checks limiting the user annotation content are not run. This bypass allows any user to specify an arbitrary user info annotation, potentially allowing access to queues the user would not normally have access to, impacting quota usage and sidestepping user quota tracking. The vulnerability enables any user to specify an arbitrary user info annotation by setting a secondary label on the pod.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize upgrading to version 1.10.0. For systems running Apache YuniKorn 1.9.0 or earlier, verify and restrict access to pod labels and annotations. Monitor for unusual quota usage patterns.

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to Apache YuniKorn version 1.10.0 or later
• Verify and restrict access to pod labels and annotations
• Monitor for unusual quota usage patterns
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record and source item provide details on the admission control bypass vulnerability in Apache YuniKorn. The NVD entry is currently UNASSIGNED. Evidence is limited to CVE and source-provided information. Defenders should verify YuniKorn deployment versions and configurations, review pod labels and annotations, and monitor for unusual quota usage patterns related to user annotations.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.