# CVE-2023-5528: kubernetes — Fixed in 1.28.4 🐹 🐹 Go Not in CISA KEV HIGH severity # CVE-2023-5528 — kubernetes HIGH [Fix: kubernetes/kubernetes#121881](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/121881) CVE-2023-5528 is a high-severity (CVSS 7.2) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in k8s.io/kubernetes. A fix is available for k8s.io/kubernetes — see the affected versions and patch details below. Kubernetes - Windows nodes - Insufficient input sanitization in in-tree storage plugin leads to privilege escalation Also known as[GHSA-hq6q-c2x6-hmch](/vulnerability/GHSA-hq6q-c2x6-hmch)GO-2023-2341 Published Nov 14, 2023 Updated Oct 28, 2026 Affected 4 pkgs Patched 4 / 4 Exploits None indexed Exploitation data as of Nov 8, 2026 · OSV.dev, NVD, FIRST.org (EPSS) ## EPSS Exploitation Probability [via FIRST.org ↗](https://www.first.org/epss/) 4.1%probability of exploitation in next 30 days Lower Risk0.00% Lower risk than most CVEs91th percentile — riskier than 91% of all scored CVEsHighest risk 0.00%8.25%16.5%24.7%18.5%4.1%May 26Sep 26Nov 26 Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from [FIRST.org EPSS](https://www.first.org/epss/). ## How urgent is this, really ## Where this sits among everything scored ## Real-World Exposure 4 pkgs affected 🐹`k8s.io/kubernetes`🐹`k8s.io/kubernetes`🐹`k8s.io/kubernetes`🐹`k8s.io/kubernetes` Real-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Go packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems. ## Description A security issue was discovered in Kubernetes where a user that can create pods and persistent volumes on Windows nodes may be able to escalate to admin privileges on those nodes. Kubernetes clusters are only affected if they are using an in-tree storage plugin for Windows nodes. ## Affected Packages 4 total 4 fixed Ecosystem Package Vulnerable range Fix 🐹Go `k8s.io/kubernetes` ≥ 1.28.0&&< 1.28.4 1.28.4`go get k8s.io/kubernetes@v1.28.4` 🐹Go `k8s.io/kubernetes` ≥ 1.27.0&&< 1.27.8 1.27.8`go get k8s.io/kubernetes@v1.27.8` 🐹Go `k8s.io/kubernetes` ≥ 1.26.0&&< 1.26.11 1.26.11`go get k8s.io/kubernetes@v1.26.11` 🐹Go `k8s.io/kubernetes` all versions 1.25.16`go get k8s.io/kubernetes@v1.25.16` ## Affected Products 2 products · 7 configurations OS `fedora`fedoraproject 3 versions 373839 Application `kubernetes`kubernetes ≥ 1.28.0 && < 1.28.4 range ## Detection & mitigation playbook Open-source dependency 1. ### Detect Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for k8s.io/kubernetes, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version. 2. ### Fix Update k8s.io/kubernetes to 1.28.4 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2023-5528 is resolved across your whole dependency graph. 3. ### Workarounds If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands. ## Fixing This On Your OS If you run this on a Linux distribution, patch through your package manager against the distro's own security advisory below — it tracks the exact backported fix for your release, which can ship on a different timeline (and sometimes a different severity) than the upstream project. Red HatImportant Any Kubernetes environment with Windows nodes is impacted. Run kubectl get nodes -l kubernetes.io/os=windows to see if any Windows nodes are in use. Kubernetes audit logs can be used to detect if this vulnerability is being exploited. Persistent Volume create events with local path fields containing special… Product Fixed in Advisory Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.11 `openshift4-wincw/windows-machine-config-operator-bundle:v6.0.3-8` [RHSA-2023:7662](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:7662) Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.12 `openshift4-wincw/windows-machine-config-operator-bundle:v7.2.0-29` [RHSA-2023:7710](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:7710) Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.13 `openshift4-wincw/windows-machine-config-operator-bundle:v8.1.1-7` [RHSA-2023:7709](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:7709) Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.14 `openshift4-wincw/windows-machine-config-operator-bundle:v9.0.1-15` [RHSA-2024:1203](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:1203) Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.15 `openshift4-wincw/windows-machine-config-operator-bundle:v10.15.0-43` [RHSA-2024:0954](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0954) ## Frequently Asked Questions A security issue was discovered in Kubernetes where a user that can create pods and persistent volumes on Windows nodes may be able to escalate to admin privileges on those nodes. Kubernetes clusters are only affected if they are using an in-tree storage plugin for Windows nodes. O3 Security · Impact-Aware SCA ### Is CVE-2023-5528 in your dependencies? Find it across Go, including transitive dependencies. [Scan my dependencies](/book-demo) [How O3 SCA works](/impact-aware-sca)