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 Executive Summary

Researchers at JFrog Security recently discovered a set of critical vulnerabilities in Chaos Mesh, a popular chaos-engineering platform for Kubernetes. The vulnerabilities (collectively dubbed Chaotic Deputy) include authentication bypass and OS command injection flaws in the GraphQL debugging interface of Chaos Mesh’s Controller Manager. research.jfrog.com+3JFrog+3The Hacker News+3

These flaws allow an adversary with only in-cluster network access (e.g., a compromised pod) to execute arbitrary commands or kill processes across pods—including high-privilege or control plane pods—and potentially take over the entire Kubernetes cluster. Users of Chaos Mesh versions earlier than 2.7.3 are affected. JFrog+2The Hacker News+2

This report from CyberDudeBivash breaks down how these vulnerabilities work, the risk to cloud-native infrastructures, detection methods, patching guidance, and long-term Kubernetes security hardening.

 Vulnerability Details & CVEs

Below are the core vulnerabilities disclosed:

* CVSS as per JFrog Security / GitHub Advisory / NVD sources. The Hacker News+2NVD+2

 Attack Vector & Preconditions

To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker needs:

• In-cluster network access: an unprivileged pod or attacker inside the Kubernetes network able to reach the Controller Manager’s GraphQL endpoint. JFrog+2The Hacker News+2
• The Chaos Mesh Controller Manager with the GraphQL server enabled (default for many installations). JFrog
• Access to namespace where Chaos Mesh is installed, or ability to send GraphQL requests to the controller manager.
• If OS command injection is successful, further ability to escalate privileges, access service account tokens, or access nodes/pod file systems. JFrog+1

 Potential Impacts

• Full cluster compromise: Attackers could use the exposed GraphQL mutations to kill critical pods (control plane components, API server, etc.), exfiltrate sensitive secrets/data, or use service account tokens to move laterally.
• Denial of Service (DoS): Simply killing essential process pods can take down the cluster or degrade service.
• Credential / Token Theft: Through OS command injection, service account tokens stored in pod file systems under /var/run/secrets/kubernetes.io/... can be accessed. JFrog+1
• Disruption of operations: Chaos Mesh is used in many resilience / chaos-engineering workflows; compromise here could also disrupt deployment pipelines, observability, or monitoring systems.

 Affected Versions & Patch Information

• Affected: Chaos Mesh versions before 2.7.3 (i.e., up to 2.7.2 and earlier) are vulnerable. JFrog+1
• Patched version: 2.7.3 contains fixes for all the Chaotic Deputy vulnerabilities. JFrog+2The Hacker News+2

 Detection & Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

Here are key signals to hunt for:

Network / Pod Information

• Pods in the chaos-mesh (or whatever namespace used) running with Controller Manager image version < 2.7.3. JFrog
• Presence of port 10082 open on chaos-controller-manager (GraphQL server) and accessible from other pods. JFrog+1

Behavioral / GraphQL Mutations

• GraphQL requests to /query endpoint without authentication.
• Mutation calls: killProcesses, cleanTcs, cleanIptables, or other mutation invocations with passed device or pod parameters.

Commands / Process actions

• Execution of iptables, tc or other system commands via Chaos Mesh.
• New creation of pods or jobs that copy files from /proc/<PID>/root/var/run/secrets/... (serviceaccount token paths) to accessible directories.

Logs

• Audit logs or Kubernetes API server logs showing CrashLoop or abnormal pod shutdowns.
• Chaos Mesh controller manager logs containing unauthenticated GraphQL calls.

 Detection Rule Samples

Here are sample detection rules for SIEM/EDR:

Sigma-style rule for discovering GraphQL mutation calls without auth:

title: Chaos Mesh GraphQL Mutation without Authentication
id: cdb1-chaotic-deputy-unauth-mutation
status: experimental
description: Detects GraphQL mutation request to Chaos Controller Manager from pods without proper RBAC or auth
logsource:
  product: http
  service: web
detection:
  selection:
    url_path: "/query"
    http_method: POST
    request_body|contains:
      - "mutation killProcesses"
      - "mutation cleanTcs"
      - "mutation cleanIptables"
  condition: selection
level: critical
tags:
  - attack.command_injection
  - attack.rce
  - cloud.k8s

Kubernetes audit / network policy rule:

• Monitor ingress from pods (not in chaos-mesh namespace) to Controller Manager port 10082.
• Alert when any pod outside expected list connects to GraphQL debug interface.

 Mitigation & Emergency Fixes

If you’re running Chaos Mesh, here are immediate remediation steps:

1. Upgrade to version 2.7.3 immediately. This is the official fixed version. JFrog+1
2. If you cannot upgrade right now, disable the GraphQL control server / disable chaosctl / disable enableCtrlServer via the Helm chart. Set enableCtrlServer=false. JFrog+1
3. Restrict network access to the Controller Manager: use NetworkPolicies to limit access to only trusted namespaces or pods.
4. Limit exposure: bind the GraphQL endpoint only to localhost or internal trusted IPs.
5. Audit and rotate service account tokens if you suspect compromise due to prior exposure.

 Long-Term Defense & Best Practices

• Regularly scan your Kubernetes components (including chaos-engineering tools) for CVEs. Tools like K8s vulnerability scanners / CNAPP / CISA / cloud vendor advisories.
• Apply least privilege for pods using Chaos Mesh; ensure that pods do not carry unnecessary permissions or wide RBAC roles.
• Use Mutating Admission Webhooks to enforce security policies and block unsafe configurations.
• Log and monitor GraphQL usage, even when disabled; ensure that audit logs include origin pod info for requests.
• Apply network segmentation: separate namespaces, restrict inter-namespace traffic, apply pod security policies or equivalent.

 CyberDudeBivash Recommendations

• Immediately review all clusters using Chaos Mesh; create an inventory of versions, exposure status.
• Run exploit simulations (in safe test clusters) to understand blast radius.
• Incorporate Chaotic Deputy CVEs into your IOC feed / signature library.
• Provide training for node / cluster admins & DevOps teams about risks of debug endpoints and command injection.

#CyberDudeBivash #ChaosMesh #ChaoticDeputy #KubernetesSecurity #GraphQLFlaw #RemoteCodeExecution #CloudNative #ThreatIntel #DevSecOps #VulnerabilityAnalysis

Conclusion

The Chaotic Deputy vulnerabilities in Chaos Mesh represent a severe risk to Kubernetes environments around the world. Because the entry requirement is only in-cluster network access (which many pods already have), the potential for compromise is high. Organizations must act now — patch, restrict access, and audit.

CyberDudeBivash will continue tracking exploitation activity and publish IOCs, detection rules, and monitoring scripts in our ThreatWire feed. If you want, I can build an IOC pack + Sigma / YARA rules specifically for “Chaotic Deputy” for your security team.