CVE-2021-38197 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides insights into CVE-2021-38197, a vulnerability in unarr.go in go-unarr (aka Go bindings for unarr) 0.1.1 that allows Directory Traversal via ../ in a pathname within a TAR archive.

Understanding CVE-2021-38197

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-38197 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-38197?

CVE-2021-38197 is a security vulnerability in unarr.go in go-unarr (Go bindings for unarr) version 0.1.1 that enables Directory Traversal through '../' in a pathname within a TAR archive.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38197

This vulnerability allows malicious actors to navigate outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files and directories.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38197

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-38197.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input validation in handling paths within TAR archives, enabling malicious actors to move to parent directories.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected component is go-unarr version 0.1.1, with the Directory Traversal vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the pathname in a TAR archive, an attacker can traverse directories beyond the intended scope, potentially compromising the system's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we discuss ways to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-38197.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update to a patched version of go-unarr to mitigate the Directory Traversal vulnerability. Additionally, avoid processing untrusted TAR archives.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement stringent input validation mechanisms and security practices to prevent directory traversal attacks and enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and patches for go-unarr to address security vulnerabilities and ensure a secure software environment.