CVE-2024-57970 in libarchive
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2025
libarchive through 3.7.7 has a heap-based buffer over-read in header_gnu_longlink in archive_read_support_format_tar.c via a TAR archive because it mishandles truncation in the middle of a GNU long linkname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-57970 affects libarchive versions through 3.7.7 and represents a heap-based buffer over-read condition within the header_gnu_longlink function located in archive_read_support_format_tar.c. This flaw specifically manifests when processing TAR archives that contain GNU long linkname entries where truncation occurs in the middle of the linkname data structure. The issue stems from insufficient boundary checking during the parsing of extended header information in TAR format archives, creating a scenario where the application reads memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of GNU long linkname records within TAR archives, which are used to store filenames that exceed the standard 100-byte limit imposed by the POSIX tar format. When a TAR archive contains a GNU long linkname entry and the truncation process occurs mid-string, the header_gnu_longlink function fails to properly validate the boundaries of the data being read. This allows an attacker to craft malicious TAR archives that, when processed by vulnerable libarchive implementations, can trigger memory access violations and potentially lead to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution depending on the execution environment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects any system or application that relies on libarchive for processing TAR archives, including backup systems, file extraction utilities, container runtimes, and content delivery platforms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because TAR format is widely used across Unix-like systems, making it a common attack surface for privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks. The heap-based buffer over-read can result in application crashes, data corruption, or potentially more severe consequences if the over-read allows for controlled memory access patterns that could be exploited for code execution.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and its relationship to the ATT&CK framework under the technique of T1059.1001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases when combined with other attack vectors that might allow for controlled input delivery through untrusted TAR archives. Organizations should prioritize patching affected libarchive versions to 3.7.8 or later, as this release includes the necessary fixes to properly validate buffer boundaries during GNU long linkname processing. Additionally, implementing input validation measures for TAR archive processing and monitoring for unusual archive processing patterns can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer management flaw that highlights the importance of proper bounds checking in archive parsing libraries. The flaw occurs during the normal processing of valid archive formats, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by legitimate archive content rather than maliciously crafted inputs. This characteristic makes the vulnerability more difficult to detect through traditional input validation measures and requires careful attention to memory management practices within archive processing code. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities or in specific execution contexts where memory layout information might be leveraged for exploitation purposes.