Kubernetes v1.35: Restricting executables invoked by kubeconfigs via exec plugin allowList added to kuberc

Did you know that kubectl can run arbitrary executables, including shell scripts, with the full privileges of the invoking user, and without your knowledge? Whenever you download or auto-generate a kubeconfig, the users[n].exec.command field can specify an executable to fetch credentials on your behalf. Don't get me wrong, this is an incredible feature that allows you to authenticate to the cluster with external identity providers. Nevertheless, you probably see the problem: Do you know exactly what executables your kubeconfig is running on your system? Do you trust the pipeline that generated your kubeconfig? If there has been a supply-chain attack on the code that generates the kubeconfig, or if the generating pipeline has been compromised, an attacker might well be doing unsavory things

This Coalition transmission preserves metadata, trust context, and source routing for a Developer Signal item from Kubernetes. The complete article remains with the original publisher.

Content handling is marked as Metadata Only. Use the source article link for the full report, updates, corrections, and publisher-controlled context.