Argo CD: Stored XSS in application link annotations enables developer-to-admin privilege escalation — CVE-2026-45738

Summary

### Summary A user with **application write access (developer role)** can set `link.argocd.argoproj.io/*` annotations on any ArgoCD Application. These annotation values are rendered in the Summary tab's **URLs section** as `<a href>` elements without URL validation. Using the pipe-separator trick (`Display Text | javascript:...`), an attacker can inject a `javascript:` URI while displaying a legitimate-looking…

Product

go: github.com/argoproj/argo-cd/v3 | go: github.com/argoproj/argo-cd/v2 | go: github.com/argoproj/argo-cd

What to do

General, cautious steps (verify details in the official source):

• Prioritize patching or mitigation immediately (treat as actively risky).
• Identify affected product versions in your inventory and verify whether you are impacted.
• Apply vendor patches/updates or recommended mitigations as soon as available.
• Read the official advisory for exact affected versions and remediation steps.

Official advisory

• Read the official source
• CVE Record
• NVD

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