CVE-2024-0406 in archiver
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2024
A flaw was discovered in the mholt/archiver package. This flaw allows an attacker to create a specially crafted tar file, which, when unpacked, may allow access to restricted files or directories. This issue can allow the creation or overwriting of files with the user's or application's privileges using the library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0406 resides within the mholt/archiver package, a widely used Go library for handling various archive formats including tar files. This flaw represents a critical security issue that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of systems relying on this library for archive processing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path traversal protection mechanisms within the tar file extraction logic, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted archive files can bypass normal file system access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit path traversal techniques during tar file extraction processes. When the archiver library processes a specially crafted tar file, it fails to properly sanitize file paths, enabling attackers to manipulate the extraction destination. This weakness specifically affects the handling of file paths that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, allowing the library to write files outside of the intended target directory. The flaw operates at the file system level, where the extracted files are written with the privileges of the user or application executing the archiver library, potentially enabling unauthorized access to restricted system resources or overwriting of critical files.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0406 extends beyond simple file system manipulation, as it can be leveraged to create or overwrite files with elevated privileges depending on how the library is invoked within applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious files into systems, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automated environments where archive processing occurs without proper user intervention or input validation, such as in continuous integration pipelines, automated deployment systems, or file upload handling applications. This issue directly correlates with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Arbitrary File Write, both of which are classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as critical security concerns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0406 should focus on immediate library version updates to address the path traversal vulnerability, while also implementing additional security controls during archive processing operations. Organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems and applications utilizing the affected mholt/archiver package, particularly those handling untrusted archive files from external sources. The implementation of proper input validation, sandboxed execution environments for archive processing, and privilege separation techniques can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security measures should include validating file paths against allowed directories, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized file system modifications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as it can be exploited through malicious archive files delivered via email or web-based attack vectors, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls throughout the software supply chain.