CVE-2026-18674: Kong Mesh multi-zone: the global control plane attributes KDS-synced resources by an unvalidated in-band zone identifier

Published Aug 17, 2026

Updated

On a Kong Mesh global control plane, resources received over the zone-to-global KDS sync are attributed using the in-band, sender-controlled ControlPlane.Identifier rather than the authenticated zone identity derived from the connection. Authenticated zones can have the global control plane store and re-distribute those resources as belonging to another zone.

The result is a cross-zone isolation bypass: the holder of a single enrolled zone's credential can inject, attribute, and overwrite resources in another zone's namespace mesh-wide.

The root cause lives in Kuma's open-source KDS sync code, which Kong Mesh's control plane is built on.

Affected Software

2 affected components

kong Kong Mesh multi-zone (global control plane / KDS sync)

kong Kong Mesh (Kuma-based KDS sync code)

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade Kong Mesh to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 2.7.29
Upgrade
Upgrade Kong Mesh to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 2.9.19
Upgrade
Upgrade Kong Mesh to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 2.11.18
Upgrade
Upgrade Kong Mesh to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 2.12.14
Upgrade
Upgrade Kong Mesh to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 2.13.10
Upgrade
Upgrade Kong Mesh to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 2.14.2

Event History

Aug 17, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·12:08 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·12:08 PM

RemedyDescriptionWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-18674?

CVE-2026-18674 has a risk score of 65, indicating a moderate level of severity.

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-18674?

CVE-2026-18674 affects the Kong Mesh multi-zone global control plane and Kuma-based KDS sync code.

How does CVE-2026-18674 impact resource attribution in Kong Mesh?

CVE-2026-18674 allows resources to be attributed using an unvalidated in-band zone identifier instead of the authenticated zone identity.

How can I mitigate CVE-2026-18674?

To mitigate CVE-2026-18674, ensure that zone identities are authenticated and validated when syncing resources to the global control plane.

What is the exploit vector for CVE-2026-18674?

CVE-2026-18674 can be exploited through the zone-to-global KDS synchronization process if the attacker controls the sender's ControlPlane.Identifier.