CVE-2020-15187
Duplicate plugin entries in Helm
In Helm before versions 2.16.11 and 3.3.2, a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack. To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection). This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2. As a possible workaround make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
3.0
Duplicate plugin entries in Helm
In Helm before versions 2.16.11 and 3.3.2, a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack. To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection). This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2. As a possible workaround make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
CVE-2020-15187- CVSS 3.1
- 3.0 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-694, CWE-74
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-1035
3.0
In Helm before versions 2.16.11 and 3.3.2, a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack. To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection). This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2. As a possible workaround make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
EUVD-2021-1035- CVSS 3.1
- 3.0 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-c52f-pq47-2r9j
3.0
plugin.yaml file allows for duplicate entries in helm
Impact
During a security audit of Helm's code base, Helm maintainers identified a bug in which a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack.
To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection).
Patches
This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2.
Workarounds
Make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
GHSA-c52f-pq47-2r9j- CVSS 3.1
- 3.0 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-74, CWE-694
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
3.0
In Helm before versions 2.16.11 and 3.3.2, a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack. To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection). This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2. As a possible workaround make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
CVE-2020-15187- CVSS 3.1
- 3.0 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 4.7 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - CVSS 2.0
- 6.5 Medium
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-74, CWE-694
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
4.7
In Helm before versions 2.16.11 and 3.3.2, a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack. To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection). This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2. As a possible workaround make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
CVE-2020-15187- CVSS 3.1
- 4.7 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-c52f-pq47-2r9j
3.0
plugin.yaml file allows for duplicate entries in helm
Impact
During a security audit of Helm's code base, Helm maintainers identified a bug in which a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack.
To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection).
Patches
This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2.
Workarounds
Make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
GHSA-c52f-pq47-2r9j- CVSS 3.1
- 3.0 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-694, CWE-74
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVBIT-helm-2020-15187 No score
Duplicate plugin entries in Helm
In Helm before versions 2.16.11 and 3.3.2, a Helm plugin can contain duplicates of the same entry, with the last one always used. If a plugin is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to modify a plugin's install hooks, causing a local execution attack. To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the git repository or plugin archive (.tgz) while being downloaded (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection). This issue has been patched in Helm 2.16.11 and Helm 3.3.2. As a possible workaround make sure to install plugins using a secure connection protocol like SSL.
- Record
BIT-helm-2020-15187- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:3760-1 No score
Security changes in Kubernetes, etcd, and helm; Bugfix in cri-o package
= Required Actions
== Kubernetes & etcd (Security fixes)
This fix involves an upgrade of Kubernetes and some add-ons. See https://documentation.suse.com/suse-caasp/4.2/html/caasp-admin/_cluster_updates.html#_updating_kubernetes_components for the upgrade procedure.
== Skuba & helm/helm3
In order to update skuba and helm or helm 3, you need to update the management workstation. See detailed instructions at https://documentation.suse.com/suse-caasp/4.2/html/caasp-admin/_cluster_updates.html#_update_management_workstation
= Known Issues
Modifying the file /etc/sysconfig/kubelet directly is not supported: documentation at https://documentation.suse.com/suse-caasp/4.2/html/caasp-admin/_miscellaneous.html#_configuring_kubelet
Be sure to check the Release Notes at https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-CAASP/4/#_changes_in_4_2_4 for any additional known issues or behavioral changes.
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:3760-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
helm.sh/helm/v3Go |
3.0.0 up to 3.3.2 | 3.3.2 |
helm.sh/helmGo |
2.0.0 up to 2.16.11 | 2.16.11 |
helmBitnami |
2.0.0 up to 2.16.11, 3.0.0 up to 3.3.2 | 2.16.113.3.2 |
kubernetesSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Containers 15 SP1 From an advisory covering 8 CVEs |
before 1.17.13-4.21.2 | 1.17.13-4.21.2 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-15187 is a low vulnerability (CVSS 3.0) in Helm, published September 17, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.52%, the 74th percentile. Fixed in helm.sh/helm/v3 3.3.2.
References
github.com/helm/helm/security/advisories/GHSA-c52f-pq47-2r9j
github.com/helm/helm/commit/6aab63765f99050b115f0aec3d6350c85e8da946
github.com/helm/helm/commit/ac7c07c37d87e09797f714fb57aa5e9cb99d9450
github.com/helm/helm/commit/b0296c0522e837d65f944beefa3fb64fd08ac304
github.com/helm/helm/commit/c8d6b01d72c9604e43ee70d0d78fadd54c2d8499
github.com/helm/helm/commit/d9ef5ce8bad512e325390c0011be1244b8380e4b
Show 21 moreShow less
github.com/helm/helm/commit/f2ede29480b507b7d8bb152dd8b6b86248b00658
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15187
github.com/advisories/GHSA-c52f-pq47-2r9j
github.com/helm/helm
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2020/suse-su-20203760-1
bugzilla.suse.com/1174219
bugzilla.suse.com/1174951
bugzilla.suse.com/1176752
bugzilla.suse.com/1176753
bugzilla.suse.com/1176754
bugzilla.suse.com/1176755
bugzilla.suse.com/1177661
bugzilla.suse.com/1177662
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15106
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15112
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15184
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15185
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15186
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15187
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-8565
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-8566