CVE-2025-48387
Description
A flaw was found in tar-fs. This vulnerability allows files to be written outside the intended extraction directory via specially crafted tar archives. The issue arises from insufficient path validation during tarball extraction, potentially enabling path traversal attacks that can overwrite arbitrary files on the system.
Statement
This vulnerability in tar-fs is Important not a moderate flaw, primarily due to its ability to bypass directory confinement during tarball extraction. The core issue—path traversal via crafted archive entries—allows attackers to write files outside the intended extraction directory, potentially overwriting system files, configuration files, or injecting malicious scripts into sensitive locations. Unlike moderate flaws that may require specific conditions or user interaction to exploit, this vulnerability can be triggered automatically in server-side environments that extract user-supplied tar files (e.g., CI/CD systems, deployment tools, or file upload handlers). Its exploitation could lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service, depending on the context.
Mitigation
Mitigation is either unavailable or does not meet Red Hat Product Security standards for usability, deployment, applicability, or stability.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.3 | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | N/A |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | N/A |
| Confidentiality | Low | N/A | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | Low | N/A | N/A |
| Availability Impact | Low | N/A | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Frequently Asked Questions
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