CVE-2019-1002101

MEDIUM

Kubernetes < 1.11.9 - Arbitrary File Write via kubectl cp Tar Extraction

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2019-1002101. PoCs published by brompwnie.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains functional exploit helper scripts for CVE-2019-1002101, a directory traversal vulnerability in Kubernetes kubectl cp. The scripts create a malicious tar file and replace system binaries to achieve remote code execution when a victim runs kubectl cp.

Description

The kubectl cp command allows copying files between containers and the user machine. To copy files from a container, Kubernetes creates a tar inside the container, 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. The untar function can both create and follow symbolic links. The issue is resolved in kubectl v1.11.9, v1.12.7, v1.13.5, and v1.14.0.

Exploits (1)

nomisec WORKING POC 5 stars
by brompwnie · poc
https://github.com/brompwnie/CVE-2019-1002101-Helpers

This repository contains functional exploit helper scripts for CVE-2019-1002101, a directory traversal vulnerability in Kubernetes kubectl cp. The scripts create a malicious tar file and replace system binaries to achieve remote code execution when a victim runs kubectl cp.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Kubernetes kubectl (versions before 1.11.9, 1.12.7, 1.13.5, 1.14.0)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Write access to /bin/tar on the target system · Victim must execute kubectl cp with a crafted tar file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →

References (11)

Core 11
Core References
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/21/1
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/08/05/5
Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/75037
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107652
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2019:0620
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2019:0619
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2019:0636

Scores

CVSS v3 6.4
EPSS 0.4994
EPSS Percentile 97.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-59
Status published
Products (6)
k8s.io/kubernetes 0 - 1.11.9Go
kubernetes/kubernetes 1.14.0
kubernetes/kubernetes 1.11.0 - 1.11.9
redhat/openshift_container_platform 3.9
redhat/openshift_container_platform 3.10
redhat/openshift_container_platform 3.11
Published Apr 01, 2019
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026