Stack-based buffer overflow in GNU Tar

1) Stack-based buffer overflow

EUVDB-ID: #VU84035

Risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 7.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-39804

CWE-ID: CWE-121 - Stack-based buffer overflow

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the xattr_decoder() function in xheader.c. A remote attacker can trick the victim to open a specially crafted tar/pax archive with an overly long xattr key, trigger a stack-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Tar: 1.0 - 1.34

External links

http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/tar.git/commit/?id=a339f05cd269013fa133d2f148d73f6f7d4247e4

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to trick the victim to open a a specially crafted archive.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.