CVE-2026-15687: Kubernetes Java client path traversal in copyDirectoryFromPod

CVE-2026-15687 · Severity: low · CVSS 2.4 · Published 2026-07-23

A security flaw exists in the Kubernetes Java client library, which is used by developers to interact with Kubernetes clusters. If an administrator uses this library to copy files from a compromised or malicious container (pod), the container could trick the administrator's computer into creating files in unintended locations. This could potentially lead to system instability or unauthorized file placement on the machine running the Java application.

Vendors: Kubernetes.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-15687 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-15687 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-15687?
Low severity, with a CVSS score of 2.4, published 23 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Kubernetes Java-Client >= 10.0.0, < 25.0.1; 26.0.0.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-15687?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2026-15687 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-15687?
Check whether you run Kubernetes Java-Client at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in the Kubernetes Java client library's `copyDirectoryFromPod` method. When the `enableTarCompressing` parameter is set to `false` (often done for distroless containers), the library fails to properly validate file paths sent from the pod. A compromised pod can exploit this during a copy operation to create files in arbitrary locations on the client machine. The attack requires the client to initiate a copy operation from a pod controlled by the attacker and requires high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R). The issue is fixed in versions 25.0.1, 26.0.1, and 27.0.0.

Affected products

  • Kubernetes java-client >= 10.0.0, < 25.0.1; 26.0.0

Timeline

  • 2026-07-22: disclosed: Issue reported on GitHub
  • 2026-07-23: advisory: CVE published to NVD

References

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