Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessReach MCP tool interface
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DeliverySubmit name/resourceType with leading dash
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ExploitInject --server flag into kubectl
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Executionkubectl connects to attacker API server
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PersistOperator bearer token exfiltrated
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ImpactReuse token for full cluster compromise
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Argument sanitization
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| Exploitation Conditions | Exploitation requires the attacker to supply the resourceType or name parameter to one of the vulnerable structured tools (kubectl_get, kubectl_describe, or kubectl_delete) in a version before 3.9.0, with the value crafted to begin with a leading dash so it is parsed by kubectl as the |
| Impact | The signals are largely consistent and point to genuine high priority. The vendor-supplied CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H, score 9.3) indicates network-reachable, low-complexity exploitation with no privileges or user interaction and high confidentiality/integrity/availability impact, and publicly available exploit code raises real-world feasibility. The primary uncertainty is exposure model rather than technical severity: MCP servers are typically driven by an AI agent, so PR:N assumes the attacker can reach the tool inputs directly (e.g., an exposed/unauthenticated MCP endpoint or indirect prompt injection into the agent). EPSS is not provided and the CVE is not listed in CISA KEV, so there is no evidence of widespread automated exploitation despite the public POC - treat this as a strong patch-now item where the software is deployed, but note that real risk scales with how exposed the MCP server is. No conflicting data was identified; the description (token redirection) aligns with the high C/I/A rating. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker who can influence the MCP tool inputs - for example via a prompt-injection payload the AI agent relays, or a directly exposed MCP endpoint - calls kubectl_get with a name or resourceType of |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Jul 10, 2026
Argument injection in Flux159 MCP Server Kubernetes before 3.9.0 lets remote attackers redirect kubectl operations to an attacker-controlled API server by smuggling a leading-dash --server flag through the resourceType and name parameters of the kubectl_get, kubectl_describe, and kubectl_delete structured tools. Because the injected values bypass the assertNoDangerousFlags check, the operator's bearer token is transmitted to the external server, enabling full Kubernetes cluster compromise. Reported by VulnCheck, it carries CVSS 4.0 9.3, has publicly available exploit code, and a vendor patch in release 3.9.0; there is no confirmed active exploitation.
RemediationAI
Vendor-released patch: upgrade MCP Server Kubernetes to version 3.9.0 or later (https://github.com/Flux159/mcp-server-kubernetes/releases/tag/3.9.0), which corresponds to PR #329 and commit d7890f50a4567bf5d9842541ba6f41e180227f9a that hardens the argument handling. Until upgrading, restrict who can invoke the MCP server so its tools are not reachable by untrusted callers or exposed to indirect prompt injection, and treat the tool inputs as untrusted - reject any resourceType or name value beginning with a dash before it reaches kubectl. As a defense-in-depth control, scope the kubeconfig/service-account credentials the server uses to least privilege (namespace-limited RBAC) so a redirected token yields minimal cluster access, and where feasible pin the kubectl --server/context server-side so it cannot be overridden; the trade-off is reduced flexibility for legitimate multi-cluster use. Follow the VulnCheck advisory (https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/mcp-server-kubernetes-argument-injection-via-kubectl-structured-tools) for confirmation.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 2 packages in npm, pypi, euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
The affected component (cpe:2.3:a:flux159:mcp-server-kubernetes) is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes Kubernetes management to AI agents by wrapping the kubectl CLI in 'structured tools.' To prevent abuse, it applies an assertNoDangerousFlags allow/deny check on tool arguments before shelling out to kubectl. The root cause is CWE-88 (Argument Injection / Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters): the resourceType and name parameters are passed through to the kubectl command line without validating that they do not themselves begin with a dash, so a value like --server=https://attacker is interpreted by kubectl as a command-line option rather than a resource identifier. kubectl's --server flag overrides the target API endpoint, and because the tool still attaches the operator's credentials, the bearer token is sent to whatever endpoint the attacker names.
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Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Network-reachable tool inputs with no privileges or interaction (PR:N/UI:N per vendor vector); stolen operator token yields high C/I/A over the cluster; scope kept unchanged to align with the 4.0 SC:N mapping.
Primary rating from Vendor (VulnCheck).
CVSS VectorVendor: VulnCheck
DescriptionCVE.org
MCP Server Kubernetes before 3.9.0 contains an argument injection vulnerability in structured tools (kubectl_get, kubectl_describe, kubectl_delete) that allows attackers to bypass the assertNoDangerousFlags security check by supplying resourceType and name parameters with leading dashes. Attackers can inject the --server flag to redirect kubectl commands to an attacker-controlled API server, causing the operator's bearer token to be transmitted externally and enabling full cluster compromise.
Articles & Coverage 1
Executive ViewAI
Flux159 MCP Server Kubernetes before version 3.9.0 contains an argument injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to redirect kubectl operations to attacker-controlled servers, exposing operator credentials and resulting in full Kubernetes cluster compromise. Organizations running this product face immediate risk of complete infrastructure takeover through readily available exploit code.
Apply vendor patch.
Threat Intelligence Overview
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.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
EUVD-2026-42987
GHSA-wmg3-h8mf-wgvr
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
Exploit-DB
VulDB