CVE-2026-35204: Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes

Routine

HIGH 8.6WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-35204 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.6) affecting helm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes. From 4.0.0 to 4.1.3, a specially crafted Helm plugin, when installed or updated, will cause Helm to write the contents of the plugin to an arbitrary filesystem location. To prevent this, validate that the plugin.yaml of the Helm plugin does not include a version: field containing POSIX dot-dot path separators ie. "/../". This vulnerability is fixed in 4.1.4.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.6 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 91%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2026-04-09
Last modified	2026-07-15

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: helm

Last updated 2026-07-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-09 16:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-15 02:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

helm helm UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.0.0 and < 4.1.4

Fixed in: 4.1.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy helm || rpm -q helm || helm --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade helm

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade helm

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison helm sudo apt install helm=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold helm

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list helm sudo dnf downgrade helm-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add helm

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-35204?

helm: upgrade to 4.1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-35204 being exploited?

CVE-2026-35204 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-35204 affect?

CVE-2026-35204 affects helm. Severity is high (CVSS 8.6). Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes. From 4.0.0 to 4.1.3, a specially crafted Helm plugin, when installed or updated, will cause Helm to write the contents of the plugin to an arbitrary filesystem location. To prevent this,

How urgent is CVE-2026-35204?

Priority 37/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Kubernetes vulnerabilities · Helm vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-63308 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE Helm through 4.2.3, fixed in commit ba6c9a2, contains a denial of service vulnerability in the Files.Lines tem
CVE-2026-35205 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes
CVE-2026-35206 MEDIUM 4.4 UPGRADE Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes

References

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