CVE-2020-11013 : Security Advisory and Response

Helm, a package manager for Kubernetes, was found to have an information disclosure vulnerability in versions 3.1.0 and earlier, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2020-11013

This CVE involves an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm, specifically related to the

lookup

function.

What is CVE-2020-11013?

The vulnerability in Helm versions prior to 3.2.0 allows malicious chart authors to access sensitive information by injecting a

lookup

into a chart, enabling unauthorized lookups against a user's Kubernetes cluster.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11013

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.5, indicating a high severity issue with a significant impact on confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11013

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in Helm.

Vulnerability Description

The

lookup

function in Helm versions before 3.2.0 allows unauthorized access to cluster resources during template rendering.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected version: >= 3.1.0, < 3.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious chart authors can exploit the vulnerability by injecting a

lookup

function into a chart, leading to unauthorized lookups against the user's Kubernetes cluster.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-11013.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to Helm version 3.2.0 or later to address the vulnerability.
Avoid using untrusted Helm charts that may contain malicious

lookup

functions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Helm to the latest version to ensure security patches are applied.
Review and validate Helm charts from trusted sources to minimize the risk of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Install the latest Helm version (3.2.0) to patch the vulnerability and enhance security.