CVE-2019-11246

kubectl cp allows symlink directory traversal

MEDIUM
6.5
CVSS Score
Published: August 29, 2019 at 12:23 AM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:12 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorKubernetes

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Severity
MEDIUM6.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 4%

Description

The kubectl cp command allows copying files between containers and the user machine. To copy files from a container, Kubernetes runs tar inside the container to create a tar archive, copies it over the network, and kubectl unpacks it on the user’s machine. If the tar binary in the container is malicious, it could run any code and output unexpected, malicious results. An attacker could use this to write files to any path on the user’s machine when kubectl cp is called, limited only by the system permissions of the local user. Kubernetes affected versions include versions prior to 1.12.9, versions prior to 1.13.6, versions prior to 1.14.2, and versions 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 1.12.9v < 1.13.6v < 1.14.21.0.0 ≤ v ≤ 1.12.101.13.0 ≤ v < 1.13.91.14.0 ≤ v < 1.14.51.15.0 ≤ v < 1.15.21.11.101.111.12.11 beta01.21.41.51.61.71.81.9
Affected range stops below 1.12.9, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.13.6, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.13.9, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.14.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.14.5, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.15.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

CVSS

Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
REQUIRED
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
NONE
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-61CWE-22

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