libarchive up to 3.7.x archive_read_support_format_rar.c copy_from_lzss_window heap-based overflow

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in libarchive up to 3.7.x. Affected is the function copy_from_lzss_window of the file archive_read_support_format_rar.c. This manipulation causes heap-based overflow. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2025-5915. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in libarchive up to 3.7.x. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function copy_from_lzss_window of the file archive_read_support_format_rar.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a heap-based overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-122. A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc(). As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A vulnerability has been identified in the libarchive library. This flaw can lead to a heap buffer over-read due to the size of a filter block potentially exceeding the Lempel-Ziv-Storer-Schieber (LZSS) window. This means the library may attempt to read beyond the allocated memory buffer, which can result in unpredictable program behavior, crashes (denial of service), or the disclosure of sensitive information from adjacent memory regions.

It is possible to read the advisory at bugzilla.redhat.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-5915 since 06/09/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 241063 (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS / 24.04 LTS / 24.10 / 25.04 : libarchive vulnerabilities (USN-7601-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 3.8.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (241063) and EUVD (EUVD-2025-17576). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• File Compression Software

Name

• libarchive

Version

• 3.0
• 3.1
• 3.2
• 3.3
• 3.4
• 3.5
• 3.6
• 3.7

License

• open-source

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Duplicate

• Submit #XXXXXX: Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx X.x.x (xxxxxx Xxxxxxx) Xxxx-xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx (by JJLeo)

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

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