CVE-2024-48615 in libarchive
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2025
Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability in libarchive 3.7.6 and earlier when running program bsdtar in function header_pax_extension at rchive_read_support_format_tar.c:1844:8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-48615 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the libarchive library version 3.7.6 and earlier releases. This issue specifically manifests when the bsdtar utility processes tar archives through the header_pax_extension function located in the archive_read_support_format_tar.c source file at line 1844. The libarchive library serves as a fundamental component for handling various archive formats across numerous operating systems and applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the bsdtar program attempts to process malformed or specially crafted tar archives containing PAX extended headers. During the parsing process, the header_pax_extension function fails to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing them, leading to a scenario where a null pointer is accessed and subsequently dereferenced. This flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the archive parsing logic, specifically when handling extended header entries that may contain unexpected or malformed data structures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a null pointer dereference, which represents a common class of software defects that can lead to application crashes or potentially more severe security implications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions within systems that rely on libarchive for archive processing. When an attacker successfully triggers this null pointer dereference, the bsdtar utility will terminate abruptly due to a segmentation fault, effectively disrupting legitimate archive operations. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where automated archive processing occurs, such as backup systems, continuous integration pipelines, or web applications that accept user-uploaded archives. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including maliciously crafted tar files sent via email, uploaded to web applications, or embedded within software distribution packages. According to ATT&CK framework category T1203, this vulnerability could enable adversaries to perform denial of service attacks against target systems through application-level exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-48615 primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems to upgrade to libarchive version 3.7.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this null pointer dereference issue. System administrators should prioritize updating all instances of bsdtar and applications that depend on libarchive functionality, particularly those handling untrusted archive data. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for archive files before processing, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious archive file transfers, and establishing robust access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious archive content. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of bsdtar and related archive utilities to trusted users and environments only. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation in archive processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases in file format parsers to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.