CVE-2019-11243 Kubernetes did not effectively clear service account credentials
Kubernetes failed to clear service account credentials in anonymous client configs, potentially exposing sensitive authentication data to unauthorized users.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2019-11243?
CVE-2019-11243 is a low-severity vulnerability in Kubernetes Kubernetes, published on 22 Apr 2019. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In Kubernetes v1.12.0-v1.12.4 and v1.13.0, the rest.AnonymousClientConfig() method returns a copy of the provided config, with credentials removed (bearer token, username/password, and client certificate/key data). In the affected versions, rest.AnonymousClientConfig() did not effectively clear service account credentials loaded using rest.InClusterConfig()
Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-11243?
5 open source packages ship an affected version, including k8s.io/kubernetes. It affects 2 products.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
k8s.io/kubernetes Go | From 1.12.0 | 1.12.5, 1.13.1 |
k8s.io/kubernetes Go | From 1.12.0 | 1.12.5 |
k8s.io/kubernetes Go | From 1.12.0 | 1.12.5 |
k8s.io/kubernetes Go | From 1.13.0 | 1.13.1 |
k8s.io/kubernetes Go | From 1.13.0 | 1.13.1 |
Products include Kubernetes Kubernetes, Netapp Trident.
How do I fix CVE-2019-11243?
Upgrade k8s.io/kubernetes to a fixed version for your release line: 1.12.5 or 1.13.1.
Is CVE-2019-11243 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-11243 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Kubernetes Kubernetes
- CVE-2018-1002105 Privilege Escalation in Kubernetes
- CVE-2017-1000056 Kubernetes Privilege Escalation
- CVE-2016-1906 Authorization bypass in Openshift
- CVE-2023-3676 Kubernetes - Windows nodes - Insufficient input sanitization leads to privilege escalation
- CVE-2023-3955 Kubernetes - Windows nodes - Insufficient input sanitization leads to privilege escalation
Sources
Also known as GHSA-gc2p-g4fg-29vh, GO-2025-3645.