All vulnerabilities
CVE-2026-19444

Kubernetes kubectl cp path traversal on Windows allows arbitrary file writes

Kubernetes KubernetesContainers & cloud
CVSS
6.5Medium
ExploitationNo known exploitationNot in CISA KEV, which does not prove it is unexploitedCISA KEV
Exploit odds (EPSS)0.23%Chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 12% of CVEs. Scored 23 Oct 2026FIRST EPSS
Fixed inNone listedNo source names a fixed version. Check the vendor advisory below
Published28 Sep 2026Updated 28 Sep 2026CVE List

What fixes it

No source in this snapshot names a fixed version. The vendor advisories under References are the place to check.

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.

Text from CVE List

Affected versions 4

  • Kubernetesaffected: v1.36.0 through v1.36.4CVE List
  • Kubernetesaffected: v1.35.0 through v1.35.8CVE List
  • Kubernetesaffected: v1.34.0 through v1.34.11CVE List
  • Kubernetesunknown: v1.0 through v1.33.13CVE List

References 3