Description
The npm package "tar" (aka node-tar) before versions 6.1.2, 5.0.7, 4.4.15, and 3.2.3 has an arbitrary File Creation/Overwrite vulnerability via insufficient symlink protection. `node-tar` aims to guarantee that any file whose location would be modified by a symbolic link is not extracted. This is, in part, achieved by ensuring that extracted directories are not symlinks. Additionally, in order to prevent unnecessary `stat` calls to determine whether a given path is a directory, paths are cached when directories are created. This logic was insufficient when extracting tar files that contained both a directory and a symlink with the same name as the directory. This order of operations resulted in the directory being created and added to the `node-tar` directory cache. When a directory is present in the directory cache, subsequent calls to mkdir for that directory are skipped. However, this is also where `node-tar` checks for symlinks occur. By first creating a directory, and then replacing that directory with a symlink, it was thus possible to bypass `node-tar` symlink checks on directories, essentially allowing an untrusted tar file to symlink into an arbitrary location and subsequently extracting arbitrary files into that location, thus allowing arbitrary file creation and overwrite. This issue was addressed in releases 3.2.3, 4.4.15, 5.0.7 and 6.1.2.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | node-tar | < 3.2.3, >= 4.0.0, < 4.4.15, >= 5.0.0, < 5.0.7, >= 6.0.0, < 6.1.2 | — |
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 | node-tar | 6.1.7+~cs11.3.10-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | node-tar | 6.1.7+~cs11.3.10-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | node-tar | 6.1.7+~cs11.3.10-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | node-tar | 4.4.10+ds1-2ubuntu1+esm1 | USN-5283-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | node-tar | No fix yet | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 8 | nodejs +3 | 1:12.22.5-1.module+el8.4.0+12242+af52a4c7 | RHSA-2021:3666, RHSA-2021:3623 |
| RHEL 8 | nodejs-nodemon | 2.0.3-1.module+el8.3.0+6519+9f98ed83 | RHSA-2021:3666, RHSA-2021:3623 |
| RHEL 8 | nodejs-packaging | 17-3.module+el8.1.0+3369+37ae6a45 | RHSA-2021:3666, RHSA-2021:3623 |
| RHEL 8 | npm | 1:6.14.14-1.12.22.5.1.module+el8.4.0+12242+af52a4c7 | RHSA-2021:3666, RHSA-2021:3623 |
| RHEL 3 | rh-nodejs12-nodejs +2 | 12.22.5-1.el7 | RHSA-2021:3281 |
| RHEL 3 | rh-nodejs12-nodejs-nodemon +1 | 2.0.3-5.el7 | RHSA-2021:3281, RHSA-2021:3280 |
| RHEL 3 | rh-nodejs12-npm | 6.14.14-12.22.5.1.el7 | RHSA-2021:3281 |
| RHEL 3 | rh-nodejs14-nodejs +2 | 14.17.5-1.el7 | RHSA-2021:3280 |
| RHEL 3 | rh-nodejs14-npm | 6.14.14-14.17.5.1.el7 | RHSA-2021:3280 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 8.2 EUS | nodejs +3 | 1:12.22.5-1.module+el8.2.0+12241+a3db445b | RHSA-2021:3638 |
| RHEL 8.2 EUS | nodejs-nodemon | 1.18.3-1.module+el8.1.0+3369+37ae6a45 | RHSA-2021:3638 |
| RHEL 8.2 EUS | nodejs-packaging | 17-3.module+el8.1.0+3369+37ae6a45 | RHSA-2021:3638 |
| RHEL 8.2 EUS | npm | 1:6.14.14-1.12.22.5.1.module+el8.2.0+12241+a3db445b | RHSA-2021:3638 |
| RHEL 8.1 EUS | nodejs +3 | 1:12.22.5-1.module+el8.1.0+12238+63fe3aec | RHSA-2021:3639 |
| RHEL 8.1 EUS | nodejs-nodemon | 1.18.3-1.module+el8.1.0+3369+37ae6a45 | RHSA-2021:3639 |
| RHEL 8.1 EUS | nodejs-packaging | 17-3.module+el8.1.0+3369+37ae6a45 | RHSA-2021:3639 |
| RHEL 8.1 EUS | npm | 1:6.14.14-1.12.22.5.1.module+el8.1.0+12238+63fe3aec | RHSA-2021:3639 |
AlmaLinux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux 8 | nodejs +3 | 1:12.22.5-1.module_el8.4.0+2529+af52a4c7 | ALSA-2021:3623 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | nodejs-nodemon | 2.0.3-1.module_el8.4.0+2521+c668cc9f | ALSA-2021:3666, ALSA-2021:3623 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | nodejs-packaging | 17-3.module_el8.3.0+2023+d2377ea3 | ALSA-2021:3666, ALSA-2021:3623 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | npm | 1:6.14.14-1.12.22.5.1.module_el8.4.0+2529+af52a4c7 | ALSA-2021:3623 |
Rocky Linux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 8 | nodejs | 1:12.22.5-1.module+el8.4.0+647+e905fa21 | RLSA-2021:3666, RLSA-2021:3623 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | nodejs-nodemon | 2.0.3-1.module+el8.3.0+100+234774f7 | RLSA-2021:3666, RLSA-2021:3623 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | nodejs-packaging | 17-3.module+el8.3.0+101+f84c7154 | RLSA-2021:3666, RLSA-2021:3623 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP3 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
| SLES 15 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES 15 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLES 15 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
| SLES 12 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-1.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0570-1 |
| SLES 12 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-1.42.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0531-1 |
| SLES 12 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-6.24.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0569-1 |
Show 11 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP1 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP1 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP1 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP1 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP1 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP1 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.1 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.1 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.1 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.1 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.1 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 6 | nodejs-common | 2.0-3.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 6 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 6 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-3.54.2 | SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.4 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | nodejs10 | 10.24.1-150000.1.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | nodejs12 | 12.22.10-4.29.3 | openSUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | nodejs14 | 14.19.0-15.27.1 | openSUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | nodejs8 | 8.17.0-10.19.2 | openSUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 8 | nodejs +3 | 1:12.22.5-1.module+el8.4.0+20308+065a70e3 | ELSA-2021-3666, ELSA-2021-3623 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | nodejs-nodemon | 2.0.3-1.module+el8.3.0+7818+6cd30d85 | ELSA-2021-3666, ELSA-2021-3623 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | nodejs-packaging | 17-3.module+el8.1.0+5393+aaf413e3 | ELSA-2021-3666, ELSA-2021-3623 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | npm | 1:6.14.14-1.12.22.5.1.module+el8.4.0+20308+065a70e3 | ELSA-2021-3666, ELSA-2021-3623 |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npm | tar | >= 3.0.0, < 3.2.3 | 3.2.3 | GHSA-r628-mhmh-qjhw |
| npm | tar | >= 4.0.0, < 4.4.15 | 4.4.15 | GHSA-r628-mhmh-qjhw |
| npm | tar | >= 5.0.0, < 5.0.7 | 5.0.7 | GHSA-r628-mhmh-qjhw |
| npm | tar | >= 6.0.0, < 6.1.2 | 6.1.2 | GHSA-r628-mhmh-qjhw |
Advisories 33
- ALSA-2021:3666 Important: nodejs:14 security and bug fix update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Oct 29, 2026
- ALSA-2021:3623 Important: nodejs:12 security and bug fix update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Oct 29, 2026
- RHSA-2021:3639 Red Hat Security Advisory: nodejs:12 security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 14, 2026
- RHSA-2021:3666 Red Hat Security Advisory: nodejs:14 security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 14, 2026
- RHSA-2021:3623 Red Hat Security Advisory: nodejs:12 security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 14, 2026
- RHSA-2021:3638 Red Hat Security Advisory: nodejs:12 security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 14, 2026
- RHSA-2021:3281 Red Hat Security Advisory: rh-nodejs12-nodejs and rh-nodejs12-nodejs-nodemon security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 14, 2026
- RHSA-2021:3280 Red Hat Security Advisory: rh-nodejs14-nodejs and rh-nodejs14-nodejs-nodemon security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 14, 2026
- USN-5283-1 node-tar vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- WID-SEC-2022-1603 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Mar 24, 2026
- RLSA-2021:3623 Important: nodejs:12 security and bug fix update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 5, 2026
- RLSA-2021:3666 Important: nodejs:14 security and bug fix update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 Security update for nodejs12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:0531-1 Security update for nodejs12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 Security update for nodejs8 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:0704-1 Security update for nodejs8 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:0569-1 Security update for nodejs14 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 Security update for nodejs14 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:1717-1 Security update for nodejs10 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2022:0715-1 Security update for nodejs14 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:0570-1 Security update for nodejs10 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- FSA-202302 Festo: Several vulnerabilities in FactoryViews CERT@VDE · Feb 2, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2022:0657-1 Security update for nodejs12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
- ICSA-22-069-09 Siemens SINEC INS CISA ICS & IT advisories · May 6, 2025
- SUSE-SU-2022:0563-1 Security update for nodejs8 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-1591 Juniper JUNOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Nov 11, 2024
- WID-SEC-2022-0092 Node.js: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Manipulation von Dateien BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · May 9, 2024
- WID-SEC-2023-0809 IBM QRadar SIEM: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Feb 19, 2024
- WID-SEC-2023-0857 IBM QRadar SIEM: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Apr 4, 2023
- WID-SEC-2023-0856 IBM QRadar SIEM: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Apr 4, 2023
- SSA-389290 SSA-389290: Third-Party Component Vulnerabilities in SINEC INS Siemens ProductCERT · Mar 8, 2022
- ELSA-2021-3666 Important: nodejs:14 security and bug fix update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Sep 27, 2021
- ELSA-2021-3623 Important: nodejs:12 security and bug fix update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Sep 22, 2021
References
- https://github.com/npm/node-tar/security/advisories/GHSA-r628-mhmh-qjhw
- https://github.com/npm/node-tar/commit/9dbdeb6df8e9dbd96fa9e84341b9d74734be6c20
- https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1771
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/tar
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-389290.pdf