CVE-2024-0406 - Critical Vulnerability in mholt/archiver package: Unpacking Specially Crafted Tar Files Could Compromise System Security

A critical flaw has been discovered in the widely-used mholt/archiver package, which is related to handling tar files during the unpacking process. This vulnerability, designated as CVE-2024-0406, allows a potential attacker to create a specially crafted tar file, which, when unpacked by a user or application using the mholt/archiver library, may lead to unauthorized access to restricted files or directories. Furthermore, this issue can enable the attacker to create or overwrite files with the user's or application's privileges. Immediate actions are required to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Code Snippet Demonstrating the Vulnerability

package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"github.com/mholt/archiver/v3"
)

func main() {
	err := archiver.Unarchive("specially_crafted.tar", "./destination")
	if err != nil {
		fmt.Println("Error during unarchive:", err)
	} else {
		fmt.Println("Unarchive completed successfully")
	}
}

In the above example, calling archiver.Unarchive() on a specially crafted tar file may grant the attacker access to unauthorized files or directories, or even allow them to create or overwrite files, depending on the privileges of the user or application running the code.

Original References

- Vulnerability Details: NVD - CVE-2024-0406
- mholt/archiver package: GitHub Repository

To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must perform the following steps

1. Create a specially crafted tar file containing a malicious payload, with the intention to overwrite existing files or create new ones with arbitrary content within the target system.

2. Deliver the malicious tar file to the target user or system, either through direct means (e.g., email attachments, file downloads) or indirect means (e.g., compromising a trusted server hosting tar files).

3. Wait for the target user or application to unpack the tar file using the mholt/archiver library. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access, file manipulation, or even arbitrary code execution, depending on the specific files or directories targeted by the attacker.

Mitigation

While the mholt/archiver package maintainers are working on a fix for this critical vulnerability, users and developers are advised to take the following steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-0406:

- Update the mholt/archiver library to the latest version, once a security patch is released to address this vulnerability.
- Verify the integrity of all tar files before unpacking, using checksums or digital signatures, to detect any tampering or corruption.
- Consider using alternative libraries or tools for handling tar files, such as the archive/tar package from the Go standard library.
- Employ additional security measures, such as mandatory access controls or restricted file system permissions, to minimize the potential impact of file manipulation by unauthorized users or processes.

Stay vigilant, aware, and updated, and always follow best practices for secure coding to keep your applications and systems secure from potential threats.

Timeline

Published on: 04/06/2024 17:15:07 UTC
Last modified on: 04/08/2024 18:48:40 UTC