CVE-2026-15687
Received Received - Intake

Kubernetes Java Client Directory Traversal via Non-Tar Copy

Publication date: 2026-07-23

Last updated on: 2026-07-23

Assigner: Kubernetes

Description
A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Java client library where a compromised pod may be able to create new files in arbitrary locations on the client machine executing copy operations via non-tar copyDirectoryFromPod when enableTarCompressing is false.

CVSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published
2026-07-23
Last Modified
2026-07-23
Generated
2026-07-24
AI Q&A
2026-07-23
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-15687
EUVD
EUVD-2026-48363

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 3 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
kubernetes java_client 25.0.1
kubernetes java_client 26.0.1
kubernetes java_client From 27.0.0 (inc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-22 The product 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 product 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.

Attack-Flow Graph

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Kubernetes Java client library allows a compromised pod to create new files in arbitrary locations on the client machine during copy operations. It specifically affects the copyDirectoryFromPod method when enableTarCompressing is set to false, which is the default for distroless containers without the tar utility.

Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability, check if your Kubernetes Java client library uses the copyDirectoryFromPod method with enableTarCompressing set to false. Verify the library version against patched versions (25.0.1, 26.0.1, or 27.0.0+). Inspect pod configurations for untrusted sources using this method.

Impact Analysis

The impact is limited but could allow an attacker to write files to unintended locations on your system if you use the vulnerable method with untrusted pods and the enableTarCompressing option disabled. The CVSS score indicates low severity with no confidentiality or availability impact.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability does not directly impact compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA. It involves a low-severity issue where a compromised pod could create files on a client machine during copy operations, but it does not involve unauthorized data access, disclosure, or processing of sensitive information. Compliance risks would only arise if the vulnerability were exploited to access or manipulate sensitive data, which is not described here.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediately upgrade the Kubernetes Java client library to versions 25.0.1, 26.0.1, or 27.0.0+. Avoid copying files from untrusted pods using copyDirectoryFromPod. Ensure the tar utility is available in containers to enable secure tar-based copying.

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