# CVE-2026-54250: k3s-io K3s path traversal in etcd snapshot decompression

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-54250-k3s-io-k3s-path-traversal-in-etcd-snapshot-decompression  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-25. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-54250 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.8 · Published 2026-06-25

K3s is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution used to manage containerized applications. A security flaw in how it handles backup files (etcd snapshots) allows a malicious archive to write files to unintended locations on the server's disk. If an administrator restores a compromised snapshot, it could lead to the corruption of system files or unauthorized configuration changes.

Technologies: [github.com/k3s-io/k3s (Go)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/github-com-k3s-io-k3s). Vendors: [Go](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/go).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-54250 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-54250 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-54250?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.8, published 25 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** github.com/k3s-io/k3s (Go) SEMVER:introduced=0, SEMVER:introduced=1.35.0-rc1,fixed=1.35.3; K3s-Io K3s < 1.33.10+k3s1, 1.34.0-rc1+k3s1 to < 1.34.6+k3s1, 1.35.0-rc1+k3s1 to < 1.35.3+k3s1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-54250?** Yes. github.com/k3s-io/k3s (Go): upgrade to 1.35.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-54250 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-54250?** Check whether you run github.com/k3s-io/k3s (Go) or K3s-Io K3s 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.

## How to fix

- github.com/k3s-io/k3s (Go): upgrade to 1.35.3 or later

  ```sh
  go get github.com/k3s-io/k3s@v1.35.3
  ```


## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in the etcd snapshot decompression logic of K3s. The root cause is the improper validation of filenames within ZIP archives during the restoration process. An attacker with the ability to provide a malicious ZIP archive to an administrator can use '..' sequences in filenames to write files to arbitrary locations on the host filesystem. Exploitation requires an administrator to initiate a cluster reset or restore using the crafted snapshot. Patches are available in versions 1.35.3, 1.34.6, and 1.33.10.

## Affected products

- k3s-io K3s >= 1.35.0-rc1, < 1.35.3; >= 1.34.0-rc1, < 1.34.6; < 1.33.10

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-54250
- GHSA-jxr7-mqhw-9p98
- GO-2026-5973

## Timeline

- 2026-06-03: disclosed: Initial disclosure to k3s-io/k3s
- 2026-06-25: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2026-07-14: advisory: GitHub Advisory Database publication date

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/f1veT](https://api.github.com/users/f1veT)
- [https://github.com/f1veT](https://github.com/f1veT)
- [https://api.github.com/users/f1veT/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/f1veT/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/f1veT/repos](https://api.github.com/users/f1veT/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/24734785?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/24734785?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/f1veT/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/f1veT/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [GO-2025-3646 - CNCF K3s Kubernetes kubelet configuration exposes credentials in github.com/k3s-io/k3s](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-46599-cncf-k3s-kubernetes-kubelet-configuration-exposes-credentials)
- [K3s apiserver port is vulnerable to unauthenticated remote denial-of-service (DoS) attack via TLS SAN stuffing attack](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-32187-k3s-apiserver-port-is-vulnerable-to-unauthenticated-remote-denial)