CVE-2019-16680 in file-roller
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in GNOME file-roller before 3.29.91. It allows a single ./../ path traversal via a filename contained in a TAR archive, possibly overwriting a file during extraction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16680 resides within the GNOME file-roller application, a widely used file archiving utility in Linux environments. This issue affects versions prior to 3.29.91 and represents a critical path traversal flaw that can be exploited during the extraction of TAR archives. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing filenames containing the sequence ./../ which enables attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially overwrite existing files on the system. This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and represents a classic directory traversal attack vector that has been documented in various security frameworks including CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the archive extraction level where users typically trust the contents of compressed files, making exploitation both subtle and potentially devastating.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of filenames during the extraction process within the file-roller application. When a TAR archive contains a filename with the ./../ sequence, the application fails to properly sanitize or normalize the path before attempting to extract the file to the target directory. This allows an attacker to craft malicious archive files that contain filenames designed to traverse up the directory structure and overwrite files in parent directories. The flaw operates by bypassing normal path validation mechanisms that should prevent extraction to locations outside the intended extraction directory, effectively allowing arbitrary file overwrite operations. This type of vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the file system through seemingly legitimate archive operations. The issue is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges, as the attacker only needs to convince a user to extract a malicious archive file.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-16680 extends beyond simple file overwrites to potentially compromise entire system security. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or user data, potentially leading to system instability, privilege escalation, or data loss. The vulnerability is especially problematic in environments where users frequently extract archives from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, download directories, or shared network locations. When combined with social engineering tactics, this vulnerability can be used to deliver malicious payloads that overwrite system binaries or configuration files, creating persistent backdoors or disabling security mechanisms. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects any system running GNOME file-roller versions prior to 3.29.91, which includes numerous Linux distributions and desktop environments. Organizations using affected versions are at risk of having their file extraction operations compromised, as any user with the ability to create or access malicious archives can potentially exploit this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-16680 focus primarily on upgrading to the patched version of GNOME file-roller 3.29.91 or later, which implements proper path validation and normalization during archive extraction. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including restricting user permissions for archive extraction operations, implementing automated scanning of archive contents before extraction, and establishing security awareness training for users to avoid extracting archives from untrusted sources. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input sanitization in file processing applications and demonstrates the need for proper path normalization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications that could result from exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, network-level controls such as email filtering and web proxy configurations can help prevent the delivery of malicious archives to end users. The remediation process should also include verification that no malicious archives have been previously extracted and that existing system files have not been compromised. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the potential consequences of failing to address known security flaws in commonly used applications.