CVE-2002-1216 in tar
Summary
by MITRE
GNU tar 1.13.19 and other versions before 1.13.25 allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack, as the result of a modification that effectively disabled the security check.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1216 represents a critical security flaw in GNU tar versions prior to 1.13.25 that enables remote attackers to perform arbitrary file overwrites through symbolic link manipulation. This issue stems from a deliberate modification in the tar utility's codebase that inadvertently disabled crucial security checks designed to prevent malicious file operations. The flaw specifically affects systems where tar is used to extract archives from untrusted sources, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the lack of proper symlink validation during extraction processes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the tar utility's handling of symbolic links during archive extraction. When tar processes archives containing symbolic links, it should verify that these links do not point to locations outside the intended extraction directory. However, in affected versions, a code modification removed or bypassed these essential validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to create maliciously crafted archives that contain symbolic links pointing to system files or sensitive locations. This modification effectively disabled the security feature that would normally prevent tar from following symlinks outside the extraction context, making it possible for attackers to overwrite arbitrary files on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1216 extends beyond simple file overwrites to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where tar is used to extract archives from untrusted sources, such as web applications, automated build systems, or file sharing platforms. When combined with other attack vectors, this flaw can enable attackers to gain persistent access to systems or escalate privileges by overwriting binaries or configuration files that are later executed by the system.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-59 and CWE-22 categories, representing weaknesses in file path handling and symbolic link manipulation that can lead to path traversal attacks. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through shell commands, as attackers may use tar extraction as part of broader exploitation chains. Organizations running affected tar versions should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to GNU tar 1.13.25 or later, which restores the proper symlink validation mechanisms. Additional mitigations include restricting tar execution permissions, implementing proper input validation for archive files, and using sandboxed environments for archive extraction operations to prevent potential file overwrites. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper security checks in utility programs and highlights how seemingly benign code modifications can introduce significant security risks.