VDB-95816 · CVE-2015-8860 · GCVE-0-2015-8860

tar Package up to 1.x on Node.js link following

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
7.2	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in tar Package up to 1.x on Node.js. The affected element is an unknown function. Such manipulation leads to link following. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2015-8860. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in tar Package up to 1.x on Node.js (JavaScript Library). Affected by this issue is an unknown function. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a link following vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The tar package before 2.0.0 for Node.js allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack in an archive.

The bug was discovered 11/03/2015. The weakness was released 01/23/2017 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at openwall.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2015-8860 since 04/20/2016. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 447 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k.

Upgrading to version 2.0.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-95801, VDB-95802, VDB-95803 and VDB-95804. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

JavaScript Library

Name

tar Package

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Link following
CWE: CWE-59
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: tar Package 2.0.0

Timelineinfo

11/03/2015 🔍
04/20/2016 +169 days 🔍
01/23/2017 +278 days 🔍
01/23/2017 +0 days 🔍
01/24/2017 +1 days 🔍
05/14/2026 +3397 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: openwall.com
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2015-8860 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2015-8860
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-95816
OSVDB: - CVE-2015-8860 - Node.js - Symlink Issue

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 01/24/2017 08:29
Updated: 05/14/2026 12:31
Changes: 01/24/2017 08:29 (58), 07/30/2020 12:33 (4), 05/14/2026 12:31 (19)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.