CVE-2007-4559

Directory traversal vulnerability in the (1) extract and (2) extractall functions in the tarfile module in Python allows user-assisted remote attackers to…

Critical · published August 28, 2007

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
27%
Percentile
98.0
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A sneaky directory traversal in Python's tarfile module could let attackers overwrite any file on your server! 🔥 Think of it like a delivery driver who can override your home’s security system by entering a special code, allowing them to drop off packages anywhere they please — including your sensitive files! If exploited, an attacker could overwrite crucial system files or data, causing chaos and potentially leading to a complete system compromise. This vulnerability is a ticking time bomb, waiting for the right conditions to detonate, so taking action is crucial!

Put simply

Think of it like a delivery driver who can override your home’s security system by entering a special code, allowing them to drop off packages anywhere they please — including your sensitive files! This directory traversal vulnerability in the 'extract' and 'extractall' functions allows attackers to use '..' sequences in TAR archive filenames to navigate outside the intended directory, undermining security protocols in place.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could overwrite crucial system files or data, causing chaos and potentially leading to a complete system compromise. This vulnerability is a ticking time bomb, waiting for the right conditions to detonate, so taking action is crucial! Fix this vulnerability by updating Python to version 2.5.2 or above, where this issue has been addressed. Make sure to audit any TAR file handling in your applications to mitigate risks associated with file extraction. 🛡️ You've got this! Take these steps to secure your systems and protect your data. 🦸‍♂️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.27095 · 98.0th percentile
Published
2007-08-28T00:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 AUG 00:00Z
    Directory traversal vulnerability in the (1) extract and (2) extractall functions in the tarfile module in Python allows user-assisted remote attackers to…
    cvelistv5