CVE-2019-11253

Name: CVE-2019-11253
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-10-17T16:15:10.443+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 25.94%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-11253 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. Improper input validation in the Kubernetes API server in versions v1.0-1.12 and versions prior to v1.13.12, v1.14.8, v1.15.5, and v1.16.2 allows authorized users to send malicious YAML or JSON payloads, causing the API server to consume excessive CPU or memory, potentially crashing and becoming unavailable. Prior to v1.14.0, default RBAC policy authorized anonymous users to submit requests that could trigger this vulnerability. EPSS estimates a 25.94% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Improper input validation in the Kubernetes API server in versions v1.0-1.12 and versions prior to v1.13.12, v1.14.8, v1.15.5, and v1.16.2 allows authorized users to send malicious YAML or JSON payloads, causing the API server to consume excessive CPU or memory, potentially crashing and becoming unavailable. Prior to v1.14.0, default RBAC policy authorized anonymous users to submit requests that could trigger this vulnerability. Clusters upgraded from a version prior to v1.14.0 keep the more permissive policy by default for backwards compatibility.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

25.94%

97.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Kubernetes	Kubernetes	>= 1.1.0, <= 1.12.10
Kubernetes	Kubernetes	>= 1.13.0, < 1.13.12
Kubernetes	Kubernetes	>= 1.14.0, < 1.14.8
Kubernetes	Kubernetes	>= 1.15.0, < 1.15.5
Kubernetes	Kubernetes	>= 1.16.0, < 1.16.2
Redhat	Openshift Container Platform	3.9
Redhat	Openshift Container Platform	3.10
Redhat	Openshift Container Platform	3.11

References

https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3239Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3811Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3905Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/83253Exploit, Issue Tracking, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21topic/kubernetes-security-announce/jk8polzSUxsPermissions Required
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191031-0006/Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3239Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3811Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3905Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/83253Exploit, Issue Tracking, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21topic/kubernetes-security-announce/jk8polzSUxsPermissions Required
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191031-0006/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 17, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-11253?

How severe is CVE-2019-11253?

CVE-2019-11253 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 25.94% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-11253?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2019-11253?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST