CVE-2026-42496CWE-59

Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract symlinks with attacker controlled targets outside the extraction directory

Critical · published May 26, 2026

CVSS v3.1
9.1
EPSS
0%
Percentile
36.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
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.

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.1 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00430 · 36.2th percentile
Weakness
CWE-59 · Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Published
2026-05-26T00:17Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 26 MAY 00:17Z
    Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract symlinks with attacker controlled targets outside the extraction directory
    cvelistv5