Description
The mtree bidder in libarchive 3.2.1 does not keep track of line sizes when extending the read-ahead, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted file, which triggers an invalid read in the (1) detect_form or (2) bid_entry function in libarchive/archive_read_support_format_mtree.c.
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 | 3.2.1-5 | — |
| Debian 13 | libarchive | 3.2.1-5 | — |
| Debian 12 | libarchive | 3.2.1-5 | — |
| Debian 8 | libarchive | 3.1.2-11+deb8u4 | DLA-1600-1 |
| Debian 7 | libarchive | 3.0.4-3+wheezy5 | DLA-661-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | libarchive | 3.1.2-11ubuntu0.16.04.3 | USN-3225-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | libarchive | 3.1.2-7ubuntu2.4 | USN-3225-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP2 | libarchive | 3.1.2-25.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2911-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | libarchive | 3.1.2-25.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2911-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | libarchive | 3.1.2-25.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2911-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | libarchive | 3.1.2-25.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2911-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | bsdtar | 3.2.2-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10127-1 |
Advisories 5
- USN-3225-1 libarchive vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-661-1 libarchive - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1600-1 libarchive - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10127-1 bsdtar-3.2.2-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2911-1 Security update for libarchive SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20161015 Re: Libarchive/bsdtar: multiple crashes mailing-list
- [debian-lts-announce] 20181129 [SECURITY] [DLA 1600-1] libarchive security update mailing-list
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-use-after-free-in-detect_form-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1377923
- GLSA-201701-03 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/libarchive/libarchive/commit/eec077f52bfa2d3f7103b4b74d52572ba8a15aca
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-bid_entry-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/
- 93781 vdb-entry
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-memory-corruptionunknown-crash-in-bid_entry-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-detect_form-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/
- openSUSE-SU-2016:3002 vendor-advisory
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-use-after-free-in-bid_entry-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/