CVE-2024-28863 in node-tar
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2024
node-tar is a Tar for Node.js. node-tar prior to version 6.2.1 has no limit on the number of sub-folders created in the folder creation process. An attacker who generates a large number of sub-folders can consume memory on the system running node-tar and even crash the Node.js client within few seconds of running it using a path with too many sub-folders inside. Version 6.2.1 fixes this issue by preventing extraction in excessively deep sub-folders.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-28863 affects the node-tar library, a widely used tar archive handling module for Node.js applications. This library serves as a critical component in many software ecosystems where tar file extraction operations are performed, making it a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to disrupt system operations. The flaw specifically manifests in versions prior to 6.2.1 where the library lacks any mechanism to limit the depth of directory structures during extraction processes, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to system resource exhaustion.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of depth validation during directory creation within the tar extraction routine. When node-tar processes a tar archive containing deeply nested directory structures, it recursively creates each subfolder without imposing any upper bounds on the nesting level. This unbounded recursion allows an attacker to craft malicious tar files with thousands or even millions of nested directories, causing the extraction process to consume excessive memory resources. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits, and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack that can lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially compromise entire Node.js applications and the systems they operate on. An attacker can exploit this weakness by creating a tar file with an excessive number of nested directories and then triggering the extraction process on a target system. The memory consumption rapidly escalates as the extraction process attempts to create each subfolder in the chain, often leading to application crashes or system instability within seconds of execution. This vulnerability particularly affects applications that handle untrusted tar files from external sources, such as package managers, deployment tools, or any system that automatically extracts tar archives without proper sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28863 primarily involve upgrading to node-tar version 6.2.1 or later, which implements proper depth limiting mechanisms to prevent excessive directory creation during extraction. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications that utilize vulnerable versions of node-tar, particularly those handling external or untrusted tar archives. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation for tar file contents, establishing extraction limits through configuration parameters, and monitoring system resources during archive processing operations. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which addresses resource exhaustion attacks, and follows best practices for preventing denial of service conditions in software libraries. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to detect vulnerable dependencies within their software supply chains and establish policies for regular security updates to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.