CVE-2026-19444
Description
A flaw was found in Kubernetes kubectl. An attacker controlling a container can write arbitrary files to the host system when a user copies files from the container. Because the tool does not properly validate file paths when extracting archives on Windows, a malicious container can traverse directories and overwrite local files with the permissions of the user executing the command.
Statement
Exploitation requires an attacker who already controls the contents of a container and a victim who runs kubectl cp from that container using a Windows kubectl client. A successful attack allows arbitrary file writes with the victim's local privileges; depending on what is overwritten, this could plausibly extend to code execution as the victim and exposure of their locally-stored credentials (including cluster credentials), but not beyond the privileges the victim already held.
Mitigation
This issue can be mitigated prior to upgrading by only using kubectl cp to copy files from containers whose contents are trusted, or by avoiding kubectl cp against untrusted containers when running the kubectl client on Windows.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.5 | N/A | 6.5 |
| Attack Vector | Adjacent Network | N/A | Adjacent Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | High | N/A | High |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Changed | N/A | Changed |
| Confidentiality | Low | N/A | Low |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Moriel Harush for reporting this issue.
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