Kubernetes kubectl cp Path Traversal via Malicious tar on Windows
CVE-2026-19444 Published on September 28, 2026

Kubernetes kubectl cp path traversal on Windows allows arbitrary file writes
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.

NVD

Vulnerability Analysis

Attack Vector:
ADJACENT_NETWORK
Attack Complexity:
LOW
Privileges Required:
HIGH
User Interaction:
REQUIRED
Scope:
CHANGED
Confidentiality Impact:
LOW
Integrity Impact:
HIGH
Availability Impact:
NONE

Weakness Type

What is a Directory traversal Vulnerability?

The software 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 software 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.

CVE-2026-19444 has been classified to as a Directory traversal vulnerability or weakness.


Products Associated with CVE-2026-19444

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Kubernetes
 

Affected Versions

Kubernetes: