Path Traversal in Isaacs Node-Tar
CVE-2026-23745
node-tar is a Tar for Node.js. The node-tar library (<= 7.5.2) fails to sanitize the linkpath of Link (hardlink) and SymbolicLink entries when preservePaths is false (the default secure behavior). This allows malicious archives to bypass the extraction root restriction, leading to Arbitrary File Overwrite via hardlinks and Symlink Poisoning via absolute symlink targets. This vulnerability is fixed in 7.5.3.
Vulnerability class: Path Traversal (Directory Traversal)
EPSS: 0.003 (26.8th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 6.1 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N.
Affected products
- Isaacs Node-tar — versions < 7.5.3
- Isaacs Tar
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- https://github.com/isaacs/node-tar/security/advisories/GHSA-8qq5-rm4j-mr97 (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://github.com/isaacs/node-tar/commit/340eb285b6d986e91969a1170d7fe9b0face405e (Patch, x_refsource_MISC)
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
- 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-23745?
- CVE-2026-23745 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Isaacs Node-Tar, classified under Path Traversal. CVSS score: 6.1/10. Published 2026-01-16.
- How severe is CVE-2026-23745?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 6.1 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2026-23745 known to be exploited?
- 3 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.