CVE-2019-11249: kubectl cp allows symlink directory traversal

Published Aug 5, 2019
·
Updated

A third issue was discovered with the Kubernetes kubectl cp command that could enable a directory traversal such that a malicious container could replace or create files on a user’s workstation. The vulnerability is a client-side defect and requires user interaction to be exploited.

This vulnerability allows a malicious container to cause a file to be created or replaced on the client computer when the client uses the kubectl cp operation. The vulnerability is a client-side defect and requires user interaction to be exploited.

Upstream Issue:

https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/80984

External References:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/kubernetes-security-discuss/Vf31dXp0EJc

Other sources

The kubectl cp command allows copying files between containers and the user machine. To copy files from a container, Kubernetes runs tar inside the container to create a tar archive, copies it over the network, and kubectl unpacks it on the user’s machine. If the tar binary in the container is malicious, it could run any code and output unexpected, malicious results. An attacker could use this to write files to any path on the user’s machine when kubectl cp is called, limited only by the system permissions of the local user. Kubernetes affected versions include versions prior to 1.13.9, versions prior to 1.14.5, versions prior to 1.15.2, and versions 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12.

Affected Software

20 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/atomic-openshift<0:3.10.181-1.git.0.3ab4b3d.el7
0:3.10.181-1.git.0.3ab4b3d.el7
redhat/ansible-service-broker<1:1.3.23-2.el7
1:1.3.23-2.el7
redhat/atomic-openshift<0:3.9.102-1.git.0.6411f52.el7
0:3.9.102-1.git.0.6411f52.el7
redhat/atomic-enterprise-service-catalog<1:4.1.16-201909090609.git.1.cc4acc1.el7
1:4.1.16-201909090609.git.1.cc4acc1.el7
redhat/jenkins<2-plugins-0:4.1.1567784275-1.el7
2-plugins-0:4.1.1567784275-1.el7
redhat/openshift<0:4.1.16-201909090609.git.0.2f97059.el8
0:4.1.16-201909090609.git.0.2f97059.el8
redhat/openshift-ansible<0:4.1.16-201909090609.git.162.a0800db.el7
0:4.1.16-201909090609.git.162.a0800db.el7
redhat/kubernetes<1.13.9
1.13.9
redhat/kubernetes<1.14.5
1.14.5
redhat/kubernetes<1.15.2
1.15.2
redhat/kubernetes<1.16.0
1.16.0
Kubernetes kubernetes>=1.0.0<=1.12.10
Kubernetes kubernetes>=1.13.0<1.13.9
Kubernetes kubernetes>=1.14.0<1.14.5
Kubernetes kubernetes>=1.15.0<1.15.2
Kubernetes kubernetes=1.12.11-beta0
redhat OpenShift Container Platform=3.9
redhat OpenShift Container Platform=3.10
redhat OpenShift Container Platform=3.11
redhat OpenShift Container Platform=4.1

Event History

Aug 5, 2019
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Aug 29, 2019
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:26 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:26 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2019-11249?

CVE-2019-11249 is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to copy malicious files from a container to the user's machine using the kubectl cp command.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2019-11249?

CVE-2019-11249 has a severity level of medium.

3

How does CVE-2019-11249 affect Kubernetes?

CVE-2019-11249 affects Kubernetes by allowing an attacker to execute a malicious tar binary inside a container during the file copying process.

4

Which versions of Kubernetes are affected by CVE-2019-11249?

Kubernetes versions 1.13.9, 1.14.5, 1.15.2, and 1.16.0 are affected by CVE-2019-11249.

5

How can I fix CVE-2019-11249?

To fix CVE-2019-11249, upgrade Kubernetes to version 1.13.9, 1.14.5, 1.15.2, or 1.16.0.

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