Python CPython up to 3.14.x Link tarfile.extractall path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Python CPython up to 3.14.x and classified as critical. The affected element is the function tarfile.extractall of the component Link Handler. Performing a manipulation results in path traversal. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-7774. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Python CPython up to 3.14.x. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function tarfile.extractall of the component Link Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

tarfile.data_filter could be bypassed using crafted link entries, including symlinks with empty or directory-like names, to redirect later archive members outside the intended extraction directory. This allowed a malicious tar archive to cause tarfile.extractall() to write files outside the destination directory, subject to the permissions of the extracting process.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-7774 since 05/04/2026. 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. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 318726 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-7774), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 3.15.0 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch 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 Tenable (318726), EUVD (EUVD-2026-34282) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-1796). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Open Source Python

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Language Software

Vendor

• Python

Name

• CPython

Version

• 3.0
• 3.1
• 3.2
• 3.3
• 3.4
• 3.5
• 3.6
• 3.7
• 3.8
• 3.9
• 3.10
• 3.11
• 3.12
• 3.13
• 3.14

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://github.com/python/cpython/

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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