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Kaniko CVE-2026-28406

HIGH
Path Traversal (CWE-22)
2026-02-27 security-advisories@github.com GHSA-6rxq-q92g-4rmf
8.2
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: github
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Craft tar archive with path traversal entry
  2. Delivery
    Upload malicious build context
  3. Exploit
    Kaniko extracts outside destination directory
  4. Execution
    Write malicious files to executor filesystem
  5. Impact
    Chain with docker credential helpers for code execution

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Kaniko versions 1.25.4 through 1.25.9 processing untrusted tar-based build contexts in environments with docker credential helpers configured for registry authentication.

Impact

CVSS 8.2 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Path traversal in Kaniko 1.25.4 through 1.25.9 allows attackers to extract tar archives outside the intended destination directory, enabling arbitrary file writes on the build system. When combined with Docker credential helpers in registry authentication scenarios, this vulnerability can be leveraged for code execution within the Kaniko executor process. Docker and Kubernetes environments using the affected Kaniko versions are at risk.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 8.2

kaniko is a tool to build container images from a Dockerfile, inside a container or Kubernetes cluster. Starting in version 1.25.4 and prior to version 1.25.10, kaniko unpacks build context archives using filepath.Join(dest, cleanedName) without enforcing that the final path stays within dest. [CVSS 8.2 HIGH]

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately. Validate and sanitize file path inputs. Use allowlists. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affected Packages

go github.com/chainguard-dev/kaniko fix: 1.25.10

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in go

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-22 (Path Traversal). Affects Kaniko. kaniko is a tool to build container images from a Dockerfile, inside a container or Kubernetes cluster. Starting in version 1.25.4 and prior to version 1.25.10, kaniko unpacks build context archives using filepath.Join(dest, cleanedName) without enforcing that the final path stays within dest. A tar entry like ../outside.txt escapes the extraction root and writes files outside the destination directory. In environments with registry authentication, this can be chained with docker credentia

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Severity by source

Vendor (github) PRIMARY 8.2 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L
SUSE HIGH
Red Hat 8.5 HIGH

Primary rating from Vendor (github).

CVSS VectorVendor: github

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
Low

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch released
Mar 06, 2026 - 19:29 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Feb 27, 2026 - 22:16 nvd
HIGH 8.2

DescriptionCVE.org

kaniko is a tool to build container images from a Dockerfile, inside a container or Kubernetes cluster. Starting in version 1.25.4 and prior to version 1.25.10, kaniko unpacks build context archives using filepath.Join(dest, cleanedName) without enforcing that the final path stays within dest. A tar entry like ../outside.txt escapes the extraction root and writes files outside the destination directory. In environments with registry authentication, this can be chained with docker credential helpers to achieve code execution within the executor process. Version 1.25.10 uses securejoin for path resolution in tar extraction.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

kaniko versions 1.25.4 through 1.25.9 contain a path traversal vulnerability that could allow attackers to write files outside the intended build context directory, potentially compromising container image integrity and enabling code injection. Organizations using kaniko for CI/CD pipelines should prioritize patching to prevent supply chain attacks.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. Until patching is complete, implement network segmentation to restrict kaniko build processes, disable untrusted external build contexts, enforce signed/validated Dockerfile sources only, and implement image scanning to detect unauthorized file modifications in built containers.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 68% exploitable
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

41
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +41
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:chainguard:kaniko:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Vendor StatusVendor

SUSE

Severity: High
Product Status
openSUSE Leap 15.6 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Package Hub 15 SP5 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Package Hub 15 SP6 Fixed
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Fixed

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