CVE-2026-42496
What it is
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.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
- Exploit odds
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-59
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- archive\ \ < 3.08
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.1
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Fix and advisories
References
- https://github.com/jib/archive-tar-new/commit/17c873492a05eddc0de18c1485e0b2cccd5a9158.patch
- https://metacpan.org/release/BINGOS/Archive-Tar-3.08/changes
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-42497
- 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