Helm's plugin verification fails open when .prov is missing, allowing unsigned plugin install
Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes. In Helm versions >=4.0.0 and <=4.1.3, Helm will install plugins missing provenance (`.prov` file) when signature verification is required. ### Impact The bug allows plugin authors to omit provenance (signing) data from plugins, bypassing plugin signature verification upon plugin install/update. Notably, plugin hooks will be executed as designed on the installed plugin, enabling a malicious plugin to execute arbitrary code. ### Patches This issue has been patched in Helm v4.1.4 Installing/updating a plugin with missing provenance will error if signature verification is required. ### Workarounds Users may manually validate that a plugin archive is not missing provenance data (`.prov` file) before installation.
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-35205US | high7.8 | — | ||
Helm is a package manager for Charts for Kubernetes. From 4.0.0 to 4.1.3, Helm will install plugins missing provenance (.prov file) when signature verification is required. This vu… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/helm/helmPACKAGE
- https://github.com/helm/helm/commit/05fa37973dc9e42b76e1d2883494c87174b6074fWEB
- https://github.com/helm/helm/releases/tag/v4.1.4WEB
- https://github.com/helm/helm/security/advisories/GHSA-q5jf-9vfq-h4h7WEB
- https://helm.sh/docs/topics/provenance/#the-provenance-fileWEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35205ADVISORY
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