tar-fs up to 1.16.3/2.1.1/3.0.7 Tar File index.js link following

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in tar-fs up to 1.16.3/2.1.1/3.0.7. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file index.js of the component Tar File Handler. This manipulation causes link following. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-12905. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. Moreover, an exploit is present. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in tar-fs up to 1.16.3/2.1.1/3.0.7. Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown functionality of the file index.js of the component Tar File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a link following vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-59. The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. As an impact it is known to affect integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

An Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ("Link Following") and Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ("Path Traversal"). This vulnerability occurs when extracting a maliciously crafted tar file, which can result in unauthorized file writes or overwrites outside the intended extraction directory. The issue is associated with index.js in the tar-fs package. This issue affects tar-fs: from 0.0.0 before 1.16.4, from 2.0.0 before 2.1.2, from 3.0.0 before 3.0.8.

The weakness was disclosed by @bnbdr as a1dd7e7c7f4b4a8bd2ab60f513baca573b44e2ed. It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2024-12905 since 12/23/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 233940 (Fedora 40 : yarnpkg (2025-f7671643c4)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 1.16.4, 2.1.2 or 3.0.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch a1dd7e7c7f4b4a8bd2ab60f513baca573b44e2ed is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Exploit-DB (52268) and Tenable (233940). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Name

• tar-fs

Version

• 1.16.0
• 1.16.1
• 1.16.2
• 1.16.3
• 2.1.0
• 2.1.1
• 3.0.0
• 3.0.1
• 3.0.2
• 3.0.3
• 3.0.4
• 3.0.5
• 3.0.6
• 3.0.7

License

• open-source

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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