libarchive up to 3.7.x archive_write_set_format_pax.c build_ustar_entry_name off-by-one

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in libarchive up to 3.7.x. Affected by this issue is the function build_ustar_entry_name of the file archive_write_set_format_pax.c. Performing a manipulation results in off-by-one. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-5917. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in libarchive up to 3.7.x. This affects the function build_ustar_entry_name of the file archive_write_set_format_pax.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a off-by-one vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-193. A product calculates or uses an incorrect maximum or minimum value that is 1 more, or 1 less, than the correct value. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A vulnerability has been identified in the libarchive library. This flaw involves an 'off-by-one' miscalculation when handling prefixes and suffixes for file names. This can lead to a 1-byte write overflow. While seemingly small, such an overflow can corrupt adjacent memory, leading to unpredictable program behavior, crashes, or in specific circumstances, could be leveraged as a building block for more sophisticated exploitation. This bug affects libarchive versions prior to 3.8.0.

The advisory is shared at bugzilla.redhat.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-5917 since 06/09/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

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-2025-17574). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best 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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Entryinfo

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

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