Description
bsdtar in libarchive before 3.2.0 returns a success code without filling the entry when the header is a "split file in multivolume RAR," which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) via a crafted rar file.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | libarchive | 3.2.0-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | libarchive | 3.2.0-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | libarchive | 3.2.0-2 | — |
| Debian 8 | libarchive | 3.1.2-11+deb8u2 | DSA-3657-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | libarchive | 3.1.2-11ubuntu0.16.04.2 | USN-3033-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | libarchive | 3.1.2-7ubuntu2.3 | USN-3033-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | bsdtar +3 | 3.1.2-10.el7_2 | RHSA-2016:1844 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | bsdtar +3 | 3.1.2-10.el7_2 | ELSA-2016-1844 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2016:1844 Red Hat Security Advisory: libarchive security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 27, 2026
- USN-3033-1 libarchive vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-3657-1 libarchive - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- ELSA-2016-1844 Important: libarchive security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Sep 12, 2016
References
- 91296 vdb-entry
- USN-3033-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2016:1844 vendor-advisory
- https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/47-Many-invalid-memory-access-issues-in-libarchive.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.html
- https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2015-8916
- https://github.com/libarchive/libarchive/issues/504
- [oss-security] 20160617 Many invalid memory access issues in libarchive mailing-list
- GLSA-201701-03 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160617 Re: Many invalid memory access issues in libarchive mailing-list
- DSA-3657 vendor-advisory