CVE-2026-42496
Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract symlinks with attacker controlled targets outside the extraction directory. _make_special_file() passes the tar header's linkname to symlink() without validating it against absolute paths or .. segments.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.43%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract symlinks with attacker controlled targets outside the extraction directory. _make_special_file() passes the tar header's linkname to symlink() without validating it against absolute paths or .. segments. The secure-extract mode check that guards regular file extraction does not cover the symlink target. A subsequent open through the extracted name reads or writes the attacker chosen path.
- CVSS 3.1
- 9.1 CRITICALCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
- EPSS
- 0.43% probability · 36th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-59, CWE-22
- Affected
- archive\/\
- Source
- 9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e
References
- https://github.com/jib/archive-tar-new/commit/17c873492a05eddc0de18c1485e0b2cccd5a9158.patchPatch
- https://metacpan.org/release/BINGOS/Archive-Tar-3.08/changesRelease Notes
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-42497Third Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:30851
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:30852
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:30856
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:30857
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-42496
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2481314
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-42496.json
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.