Kubernetes prior 1.33.13/1.34.11/1.35.8/1.36.4 Kubectl Cp Command path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Kubernetes. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Kubectl Cp Command. Executing a manipulation can lead to path traversal. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-19444. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Kubernetes. This vulnerability affects an unknown function of the component Kubectl Cp Command. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A path traversal vulnerability was discovered in the Kubernetes kubectl client's kubectl cp command on Windows. When copying files from a container, kubectl runs tar inside the container to build a tar archive, transfers it over the network, and unpacks it on the local machine. If the tar binary in the container is malicious, it can execute arbitrary code and emit unexpected output, allowing an attacker who controls container contents to write files to arbitrary paths on the user's local machine when kubectl cp is invoked, limited only by the system permissions of the local user. This issue only affects kubectl clients running on Windows.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-19444 since 08/10/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1006.

Upgrading to version 1.33.13, 1.34.11, 1.35.8 or 1.36.4 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

• Virtualization Software

Name

• Kubernetes

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/

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