CVE-2020-11013
lookup Function Information Discolosure in Helm
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
8.5
lookup Function Information Discolosure in Helm
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
- Record
CVE-2020-11013- CVSS 3.1
- 8.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-1164
8.5
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
- Record
EUVD-2021-1164- CVSS 3.1
- 8.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-q8q8-93cv-v6h8
8.5
Lookup function information discolosure in helm
The Helm core maintainers have identified an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm 3.0.0-3.1.2.
Impact
lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates.
The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, as the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior.
Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability.
A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template.
Patches
This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
Workarounds
Due to another bug (also fixed in Helm 3.2.0), the command helm lint will fail with an error if the lookup function is used in a chart. Therefore, run helm lint on an untrusted chart before running helm template.
Alternately, setting the KUBECONFIG environment variable to point to an empty Kubernetes configuration file will prevent unintended network connections.
Finally, a chart may be manually analyzed for the presence of a lookup function in any file in the templates/ directory.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in the Helm repository
- For security-specific issues, email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-q8q8-93cv-v6h8- CVSS 3.1
- 8.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
8.5
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
- Record
CVE-2020-11013- CVSS 3.1
- 8.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 4.0 Medium
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
5.0
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
- Record
CVE-2020-11013- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-q8q8-93cv-v6h8
8.5
Lookup function information discolosure in helm
The Helm core maintainers have identified an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm 3.0.0-3.1.2.
Impact
lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates.
The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, as the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior.
Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability.
A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template.
Patches
This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
Workarounds
Due to another bug (also fixed in Helm 3.2.0), the command helm lint will fail with an error if the lookup function is used in a chart. Therefore, run helm lint on an untrusted chart before running helm template.
Alternately, setting the KUBECONFIG environment variable to point to an empty Kubernetes configuration file will prevent unintended network connections.
Finally, a chart may be manually analyzed for the presence of a lookup function in any file in the templates/ directory.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in the Helm repository
- For security-specific issues, email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-q8q8-93cv-v6h8- CVSS 3.1
- 8.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-11013
8.5
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-11013- CVSS 3.1
- 8.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVBIT-helm-2020-11013 No score
lookup Function Information Discolosure in Helm
Their is an information disclosure vulnerability in Helm from version 3.1.0 and before version 3.2.0. lookup is a Helm template function introduced in Helm v3. It is able to lookup resources in the cluster to check for the existence of specific resources and get details about them. This can be used as part of the process to render templates. The documented behavior of helm template states that it does not attach to a remote cluster. However, a the recently added lookup template function circumvents this restriction and connects to the cluster even during helm template and helm install|update|delete|rollback --dry-run. The user is not notified of this behavior. Running helm template should not make calls to a cluster. This is different from install, which is presumed to have access to a cluster in order to load resources into Kubernetes. Helm 2 is unaffected by this vulnerability. A malicious chart author could inject a lookup into a chart that, when rendered through helm template, performs unannounced lookups against the cluster a user's KUBECONFIG file points to. This information can then be disclosed via the output of helm template. This issue has been fixed in Helm 3.2.0
- Record
BIT-helm-2020-11013- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
helm.sh/helm/v3Go |
3.0.0 up to 3.1.3 | 3.1.3 |
helmBitnami |
3.1.0 up to 3.2.0 | 3.2.0 |
helmUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 1.9.1-11.9.2-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 2.8.2-12.8.5-12.8.6-12.8.7-12.8.8-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 3.2-13.5.0-33.6.0-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 3.7.0-23.8.0-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:24.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 3.8.4-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:25.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 3.8.4-24.0.3-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:26.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.0.6-34.0.7-1 |
None known |
helmUbuntu:26.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.0.3-14.0.6-14.0.6-24.0.6-3 |
None known |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-11013 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.5) in Helm, published April 24, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.41%, the 72nd percentile. Fixed in helm.sh/helm/v3 3.1.3.
References
github.com/helm/helm/security/advisories/GHSA-q8q8-93cv-v6h8
github.com/helm/helm/releases/tag/v3.2.0
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-11013
github.com/helm/helm/pull/7969
github.com/helm/helm/pull/7969/commits/c67b644a791a8fa61c760a3a0474533e63e74008
github.com/advisories/GHSA-q8q8-93cv-v6h8
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2020-11013
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-11013