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CVE-2019-11251

kubectl cp allows symlink directory traversal

MEDIUM
5.7
CVSS Score
Published: February 3, 2020 at 03:35 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:12 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorKubernetes

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Severity
MEDIUM5.7
Exploit prediction
EPSS 3%

Description

The Kubernetes kubectl cp command in versions 1.1-1.12, and versions prior to 1.13.11, 1.14.7, and 1.15.4 allows a combination of two symlinks provided by tar output of a malicious container to place a file outside of the destination directory specified in the kubectl cp invocation. This could be used to allow an attacker to place a nefarious file using a symlink, outside of the destination tree.

Affected

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

Kubernetes· Kubernetes
95%
v < 1.13.11v < 1.14.7v < 1.15.41.13.0 ≤ v < 1.13.111.14.0 ≤ v < 1.14.71.15.0 ≤ v < 1.15.41.11.1-1.121.101.111.121.21.31.41.51.61.71.81.9
Affected range stops below 1.13.11, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.14.7, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.15.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

References (2)

x_refsource_CONFIRMThird Party Advisory
Source: [email protected]
https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/87773
Mailing Listx_refsource_MLISTThird Party Advisory
Source: [email protected]
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/kubernetes-announce/YYtEFdFimZ4/nZnOezZuBgAJ

CVSS

5.7MEDIUM[email protected]
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
REQUIRED
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
NONE
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-61CWE-59

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