CVE-2019-15789

Name: CVE-2019-15789
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-04-08T01:15:11.857+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.50%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-15789 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Privilege escalation vulnerability in MicroK8s allows a low privilege user with local access to obtain root access to the host by provisioning a privileged container. Fixed in MicroK8s 1.15.3.. EPSS estimates a 0.50% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Privilege escalation vulnerability in MicroK8s allows a low privilege user with local access to obtain root access to the host by provisioning a privileged container. Fixed in MicroK8s 1.15.3.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.50%

39.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-269

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Canonical	Microk8s	< 1.15.3

References

https://discuss.kubernetes.io/t/explicit-use-of-sudo-in-microk8s-cli/7605Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ubuntu/microk8s/pull/590Third Party Advisory
https://people.canonical.com/~ubuntu-security/cve/2019/CVE-2019-15789.htmlVendor Advisory
https://pulsesecurity.co.nz/advisories/microk8s-privilege-escalationExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://discuss.kubernetes.io/t/explicit-use-of-sudo-in-microk8s-cli/7605Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ubuntu/microk8s/pull/590Third Party Advisory
https://people.canonical.com/~ubuntu-security/cve/2019/CVE-2019-15789.htmlVendor Advisory
https://pulsesecurity.co.nz/advisories/microk8s-privilege-escalationExploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Apr 8, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-15789?

Privilege escalation vulnerability in MicroK8s allows a low privilege user with local access to obtain root access to the host by provisioning a privileged container. Fixed in MicroK8s 1.15.3.

How severe is CVE-2019-15789?

CVE-2019-15789 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.50% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-15789?

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-2019-15789?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST