CVE-2026-42497: Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract hardlinks to attacker controlled paths outside the extracti

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-42497?

\: upgrade to 3.08. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-42497 being exploited?

CVE-2026-42497 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-42497 affect?

CVE-2026-42497 affects \. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract hardlinks to attacker controlled paths outside the extraction directory. _make_special_file() passes the tar header's linkname to link() without validating it against absolute paths or ..

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-42497?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-42497 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting \. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract hardlinks to attacker controlled paths outside the extraction directory. _make_special_file() passes the tar header's linkname to link() without validating it against absolute paths or .. segments, creating a hardlink that shares the victim file's inode. A subsequent write through the extracted name modifies the victim file, and the post-extraction chmod, chown, and utime block in _extract_file

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59, CWE-732
Published	2026-05-26
Last modified	2026-07-24

Publisher (CNA): CPANSec · Vendor: archive\

Last updated 2026-07-24 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-26 02:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-24 11:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

archive\ \ UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.08

Fixed in: 3.08

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy || rpm -q || --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.08 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-42497?

\: upgrade to 3.08. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-42497 being exploited?

CVE-2026-42497 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-42497 affect?

CVE-2026-42497 affects \. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Archive::Tar versions before 3.08 for Perl extract hardlinks to attacker controlled paths outside the extraction directory. _make_special_file() passes the tar header's linkname to link() without validating it against absolute paths or ..

How urgent is CVE-2026-42497?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Perl vulnerabilities

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References

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