CVE-2021-38511 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in the tar crate before 0.4.36 for Rust. When symlinks are present in a TAR archive, extraction can create arbitrary directories via .. traversal.

Understanding CVE-2021-38511

This CVE-2021-38511 vulnerability affects the tar crate before version 0.4.36 for Rust, allowing for the creation of arbitrary directories through symlink traversal during extraction.

What is CVE-2021-38511?

CVE-2021-38511 is a security vulnerability found in the tar crate used in Rust programming language. It enables an attacker to manipulate the extraction process of TAR archives containing symlinks, leading to the creation of unauthorized directories by exploiting the .. traversal technique.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38511

The impact of CVE-2021-38511 can result in unauthorized directory creation during the extraction of TAR archives, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate file storage or gain unauthorized access to system resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38511

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the tar crate before version 0.4.36 for Rust allows attackers to use symlinks within TAR archives to create arbitrary directories via .. traversal, leading to unauthorized directory creation during extraction.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of the tar crate prior to 0.4.36 for Rust are affected by CVE-2021-38511. Users are advised to update to the latest secure version to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the CVE-2021-38511 vulnerability by including malicious symlinks in a TAR archive. During extraction, these symlinks are manipulated to create arbitrary directories using the .. traversal technique.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-38511, users and system administrators should take immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices, including regular patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the tar crate to version 0.4.36 or higher to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability. Exercise caution when extracting TAR archives containing symlinks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and stay informed about security advisories to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and security patches for the tar crate and other dependencies to ensure that your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.