CVE-2018-20834 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Node-tar, up to and including version 4.4.2 (excluding version 2.2.2), has a vulnerability that allows an Arbitrary File Overwrite problem when extracting tarballs. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2018-20834

Node-tar version 4.4.2 (excluding 2.2.2) has a critical vulnerability that can lead to Arbitrary File Overwrite when handling tarballs.

What is CVE-2018-20834?

This vulnerability in Node-tar allows an attacker to overwrite files on the system when extracting a tarball containing specific hardlinks and plain files.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20834

The vulnerability can result in unauthorized modification of files during the extraction process, potentially leading to data loss or manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20834

Node-tar vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

Node-tar before version 4.4.2 (excluding 2.2.2) is susceptible to Arbitrary File Overwrite during tarball extraction.

Affected Systems and Versions

Node-tar versions up to and including 4.4.2 (excluding 2.2.2) are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

When extracting a tarball with a hardlink to an existing file and a subsequent plain file with the same name, the content of the plain file replaces the existing file's content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-20834 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Node-tar to version 2.2.2 or later to apply the patch that fixes the Arbitrary File Overwrite issue.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and dependencies to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes.

Patching and Updates

Monitor official sources for security patches and updates to Node-tar to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.