Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-27833 is a file overwrite flaw in the OpenShift oc client. A crafted raw container image tar file can abuse symbolic links during oc image extract, potentially overwriting files outside the extraction directory and leading to code execution. The issue is limited to that command and vulnerable openshift-clients versions.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority client-side tooling risk where OpenShift administrative workflows process untrusted image archives. Urgency is lower if oc image extract is unused or only trusted inputs are handled, but affected clients should still be tracked and remediated through vendor guidance.
Technical view
The flaw is a Zip Slip-style path validation bypass in oc image extract. A tarball containing symbolic links can create links outside the tarball parent directory, allowing executable or configuration overwrite. Sources identify affected versions up to and including openshift-clients-4.7.0-202104250659.p0.git.95881af. CVE data lists CWE-20 and no CVSS score.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely where vulnerable openshift-clients/oc versions are installed and users or automation run oc image extract against raw container image tar files, especially files from untrusted or weakly controlled sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires a specially crafted raw container image tar file and use of the vulnerable oc image extract workflow.
Researcher notes
Evidence is specific to openshift-clients/oc and the oc image extract command. The provided sources do not include CVSS, a named fixed version, exploit availability, or active exploitation evidence. Avoid expanding scope beyond the affected client and command path.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory oc and openshift-clients versions across administrator and automation environments.
- Check Red Hat CVE guidance for fixed openshift-clients packages or supported remediation.
- Avoid oc image extract on untrusted raw container image tar files.
- Restrict extraction workflows until vulnerable clients are replaced or vendor guidance is applied.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether oc image extract is used in local workflows or automation.
- Compare installed openshift-clients versions against the affected version boundary.
- Review logs or job definitions for extraction of raw container image tar files.
- Prioritize hosts where extracted content could affect executables or configuration files.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupContainer behavior lookup
The affected technology mentions containers, so container-specific ATT&CK technique review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-27833 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-27833CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1905945CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.