CVE-2021-28448

Remote code execution via workspace tool-path settings

Published Apr 13, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Remote code execution in Microsoft Kubernetes Tools before 1.3.0 allows local users to execute code by opening a crafted workspace. The extension accepts workspace-scoped kubectl, Helm, and Minikube path settings and launches the referenced executable without excluding untrusted workspace configuration. Exploitation requires a user to open an attacker-controlled workspace and invoke a feature that runs a configured tool, granting code execution with the user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability2.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Microsoft Kubernetes Tools before 1.3.0 allows local users to execute code by opening a crafted workspace. The extension accepts workspace-scoped kubectl, Helm, and Minikube path settings and launches the referenced executable without excluding untrusted workspace configuration. Exploitation requires a user to open an attacker-controlled workspace and invoke a feature that runs a configured tool, granting code execution with the user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28448
Published
Apr 13, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Kubernetes Tools
Classifications
T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 13, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=1.0.0 <1.3.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Kubernetes Toolsversion=1.0.0 <1.3.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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