libtar th_read memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in libtar. This affects the function th_read. This manipulation causes memory leak. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2021-33646. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in libtar (version now known). Affected by this vulnerability is the function th_read. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

The th_read() function doesn’t free a variable t->th_buf.gnu_longname after allocating memory, which may cause a memory leak.

The weakness was published 08/11/2022. The advisory is shared at openeuler.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2021-33646 since 05/28/2021. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1499 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 214740 (Debian dla-4033 : libtar-dev - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (214740) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2023-1238). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Oracle Linux
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • RESF Rocky Linux

Productinfo

Name

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.8

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 214740
Nessus Name: Debian dla-4033 : libtar-dev - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

05/28/2021 🔍
08/11/2022 +440 days 🔍
08/11/2022 +0 days 🔍
01/04/2026 +1242 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: openeuler.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2021-33646 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-33646
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-206065
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2023-1238 - Red Hat Enterprise Linux: Mehrere Schwachstellen in verschiedenen Komponenten

Entryinfo

Created: 08/11/2022 07:17
Updated: 01/04/2026 02:16
Changes: 08/11/2022 07:17 (37), 09/04/2022 13:50 (11), 01/29/2025 06:32 (16), 04/02/2025 21:00 (1), 04/30/2025 11:01 (3), 11/05/2025 05:47 (1), 01/04/2026 02:16 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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