CVE-2026-19444
Kubernetes kubectl cp path traversal on Windows allows arbitrary file writes
Description
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.
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 28, 2026, 12:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 28, 2026, 12:17 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2026-19444
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
No affected product recoded yet
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | a6081bf6-c852-4425-ad4f-a67919267565 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update kubectl to a patched version.
- Avoid using 'kubectl cp' with untrusted containers.
- Verify tar binary integrity within containers.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-19444.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/141294 | |
| https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/141296 | |
| https://groups.google.com/g/kubernetes-security-announce/c/v_ob5Gf4-eY |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-19444 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-19444
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-19444 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-19444 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Sep. 28, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description 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. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N Added CWE CWE-22 Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/19xxx/CVE-2026-19444.json">CVE-2026-19444</a> Added Reference https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/141294 Added Reference https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/141296 Added Reference https://groups.google.com/g/kubernetes-security-announce/c/v_ob5Gf4-eY