CVE-2026-35205

Arbitrary code execution via missing provenance acceptance

Published Apr 9, 2026 · Updated Apr 9, 2026

Improper plugin verification in Helm 4.0.0 through 4.1.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through an unsigned plugin. The InstallWithOptions path in internal/plugin/installer/installer.go treats an absent .prov file as a warning and continues installation instead of rejecting the unverified archive. Exploitation requires a user to install or update an attacker-supplied plugin with signature verification enabled, after which its hooks run in the Helm user's context.

CVSS severity9.3
Critical
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper plugin verification in Helm 4.0.0 through 4.1.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through an unsigned plugin. The InstallWithOptions path in internal/plugin/installer/installer.go treats an absent .prov file as a warning and continues installation instead of rejecting the unverified archive. Exploitation requires a user to install or update an attacker-supplied plugin with signature verification enabled, after which its hooks run in the Helm user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-35205
Published
Apr 9, 2026
Updated
Apr 9, 2026
Vendor
The Helm Project
Product
Helm
Classifications
CWE-636, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 9, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 9, 2026Record 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=>= 4.0.0, < 4.1.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Helm Project · Helmversion=>= 4.0.0, < 4.1.4

Published CVSS scores

8.0redhat-SADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3GitHub, Inc.CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-636Not Failing Securely ('Failing Open')
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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