KubeEdge: Command Injection in NodeUpgradeJob - RCE on edge nodes via v1alpha2 API
## Impact The KubeEdge NodeUpgradeJob handler constructed the `keadm upgrade edge` command by concatenating the user-controlled `spec.version` and `spec.image` fields into a shell command. An authenticated user with permission to create or update `NodeUpgradeJob` resources through the v1alpha2 API could include shell metacharacters in either field. When the upgrade job was processed, the injected command could be executed on the targeted edge node with the privileges available to the upgrade process. Successful exploitation could result in arbitrary command execution and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected edge node. ## Patches The fix removes shell-based command construction and invokes `keadm` using a structured argument list through `exec.Command`. The version and image values are passed as separate literal arguments and are no longer interpreted by a command shell. The fixed versions: * KubeEdge v1.23.1 * KubeEdge v1.22.2 * KubeEdge v1.21.2 ## Workarounds Until a patched version is available: * restrict permission to create or update `NodeUpgradeJob` resources to trusted administrators; * do not allow untrusted users or tenants to control the `spec.version` or `spec.image` fields; * avoid using NodeUpgradeJob-based edge upgrades in environments where these fields may be influenced by untrusted users. ## Credits KubeEdge thanks Sang-Hoon Choi ([KoreaSecurity](https://github.com/KoreaSecurity), Sejong University) for responsibly repor
GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj
Primary source · Revision 1
Imported from structured advisory data. Source references identify upstream records or fields; verify affected versions and your deployed configuration.
Security context
Source reference: osv:GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj
github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge
Source reference: /affected/0/package/name
- Affected versions
- Not stated in this record
- Fixed versions
- 1.21.2
Source reference:
/affected/0/ranges - Prerequisites
- Not stated in this record
github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge
Source reference: /affected/1/package/name
- Affected versions
- Not stated in this record
- Fixed versions
- 1.22.2
Source reference:
/affected/1/ranges - Prerequisites
- Not stated in this record
github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge
Source reference: /affected/2/package/name
- Affected versions
- Not stated in this record
- Fixed versions
- 1.23.1
Source reference:
/affected/2/ranges - Prerequisites
- Not stated in this record
Structured affected-version data
Original package identities and version rules from this source.
[
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "SEMVER",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.12.0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.21.2"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge",
"purl": "pkg:golang/github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge",
"ecosystem": "Go"
},
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2026/09/GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj/GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj.json"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "SEMVER",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.22.0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.22.2"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge",
"purl": "pkg:golang/github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge",
"ecosystem": "Go"
},
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2026/09/GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj/GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj.json"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "SEMVER",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.23.0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.23.1"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge",
"purl": "pkg:golang/github.com/kubeedge/kubeedge",
"ecosystem": "Go"
},
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2026/09/GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj/GHSA-5jpj-293f-rhvj.json"
}
}
]- Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-62371
Source reference:
/aliases
Publisher severity
high
Source reference: /database_specific/severity
- Event
- #63931 · Revision 1
- Added to Heist Feed
- Publisher date