CVE-2007-4829 in Archive Tar Perl Module
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Archive::Tar Perl module 1.36 and earlier allows user-assisted remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a TAR archive that contains a file whose name is an absolute path or has ".." sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2025
The CVE-2007-4829 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Archive::Tar Perl module version 1.36 and earlier, exposing systems to potential remote code execution and unauthorized file manipulation. This vulnerability specifically affects the extraction process of tar archives where the module fails to properly validate file paths, allowing malicious actors to craft archive contents that can overwrite system files or create arbitrary files in unintended locations. The flaw exists in the core archive extraction logic where absolute paths and parent directory references are not adequately sanitized, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and potentially compromise the entire system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker constructing a malicious tar archive containing file entries with absolute paths such as /etc/passwd or relative paths using .. sequences like ../../etc/shadow. When the vulnerable Archive::Tar module processes such archives, it does not properly sanitize these paths, allowing the extraction routine to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory," which is a well-known weakness in file system access control mechanisms. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the file system during archive extraction, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data corruption, or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4829 extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to replacing system binaries, modifying critical configuration files, or creating backdoor access points. Systems running vulnerable versions of the Archive::Tar module are particularly at risk when processing untrusted tar archives from external sources such as web downloads, email attachments, or automated backup systems. The vulnerability can be exploited in environments where tar extraction occurs automatically without proper user intervention, making it especially dangerous in server environments or automated processing pipelines. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.002 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as attackers can leverage this weakness during initial compromise phases or while maintaining persistence. The vulnerability also relates to T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" when systems are compromised through automated processes that extract files from cloud storage or network shares.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Archive::Tar version 1.37 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the path traversal vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict input validation for all archive processing operations and consider deploying file system access controls that limit write permissions for archive extraction processes. Additional mitigations include monitoring for suspicious file extraction patterns, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and conducting regular security audits of systems that process external archives. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization in archive processing libraries and demonstrates how seemingly simple flaws can have significant operational consequences. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain inventory of all systems using vulnerable Perl modules. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments should include checks for similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other archive processing components and file system manipulation functions.