REDHAT-BUG-2515509: High severity npm/node-tar vulnerability

Published Aug 13, 2026
·
Updated

node-tar is a tar archive manipulation library for Node.js. Prior to 7.5.21, node-tar's filesFilter in src/list.ts uses the recursive mapHas helper to walk an archive entry path upward with path.dirname() and no segment cap when tar.t(...) or tar.x(...) receives a non-empty member-selection list. A crafted GNU L or PAX x long-path header with thousands of slash-separated segments reaches this.filter(entry.path, entry) in Parser[CONSUMEHEADER] in src/parse.ts before Unpack[CHECKPATH] applies maxDepth, causing an uncatchable RangeError stack overflow that terminates asynchronous and streaming Node.js consumers. This issue is fixed in version 7.5.21.

Affected Software

1 affected component
npm/node-tar<7.5.21

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade node-tar to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.5.21

Event History

Aug 13, 2026
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:51 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which uses are exposed to this denial-of-service condition?

Applications using tar.t(...) or tar.x(...) with a non-empty member-selection list are exposed when processing a crafted archive. The failure affects asynchronous and streaming Node.js consumers.

2

What does an attacker need to trigger the issue?

An attacker needs to supply a tar archive containing a GNU L or PAX x long-path header with thousands of slash-separated path segments. The crafted path is processed before the unpacking maxDepth check is applied.

3

What is the impact of successful exploitation?

Processing the archive can cause an uncatchable RangeError stack overflow. This terminates the affected Node.js process or consumer.

4

What is the remediation?

Update node-tar to version 7.5.21, which fixes the issue. Until updating, avoid processing untrusted archives with tar.t(...) or tar.x(...) when a non-empty member-selection list is used.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203