What is CVE-2023-1943?

CVE-2023-1943 is a high-severity security vulnerability in k8s.io/kops (go), affecting versions < 1.25.4. It is fixed in 1.25.4, 1.26.2.

How severe is CVE-2023-1943?

CVE-2023-1943 has a CVSS score of 8.0 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Which versions of k8s.io/kops are affected by CVE-2023-1943?

k8s.io/kops (go) versions < 1.25.4 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2023-1943?

Yes. CVE-2023-1943 is fixed in 1.25.4, 1.26.2. Upgrade to this version or later.

Is CVE-2023-1943 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2023-1943 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

What actually determines whether CVE-2023-1943 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

How do I fix CVE-2023-1943?

Upgrade: k8s.io/kops to 1.25.4 or later, k8s.io/kops to 1.26.2 or later.

CVE-2023-1943 in k8s.io/kops

Q: How severe is CVE-2023-1943?

CVE-2023-1943 has a CVSS score of 8.0 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Q: Which versions of k8s.io/kops are affected by CVE-2023-1943?

k8s.io/kops (go) versions < 1.25.4 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2023-1943?

Yes. CVE-2023-1943 is fixed in 1.25.4, 1.26.2. Upgrade to this version or later.

Q: Is CVE-2023-1943 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2023-1943 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

Q: What actually determines whether CVE-2023-1943 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-1943?

Upgrade: k8s.io/kops to 1.25.4 or later, k8s.io/kops to 1.26.2 or later.

Summary

kOps privilege escalation vulnerability

Privilege Escalation in kOps using GCE/GCP Provider in Gossip Mode.

Impact

CVE-2023-1943 has a CVSS score of 8.0 (High). The vector is reachable from an adjacent network, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (1.25.4, 1.26.2); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Affected versions

k8s.io/kops (< 1.25.4) k8s.io/kops (>= 1.26.0, < 1.26.2)

Security releases

k8s.io/kops → 1.25.4 (go) k8s.io/kops → 1.26.2 (go)

Kodem intelligence

Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.

Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.

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Remediation advice

Upgrade the following packages to resolve this vulnerability:

k8s.io/kops to 1.25.4 or later; k8s.io/kops to 1.26.2 or later

Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-1943? CVE-2023-1943 is a high-severity security vulnerability in k8s.io/kops (go), affecting versions < 1.25.4. It is fixed in 1.25.4, 1.26.2.
How severe is CVE-2023-1943? CVE-2023-1943 has a CVSS score of 8.0 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
Which versions of k8s.io/kops are affected by CVE-2023-1943? k8s.io/kops (go) versions < 1.25.4 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2023-1943? Yes. CVE-2023-1943 is fixed in 1.25.4, 1.26.2. Upgrade to this version or later.
Is CVE-2023-1943 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-1943 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
What actually determines whether CVE-2023-1943 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
How do I fix CVE-2023-1943?
- Upgrade k8s.io/kops to 1.25.4 or later
- Upgrade k8s.io/kops to 1.26.2 or later