CVE-2026-53655: node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-53655 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting tar. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. Prior to 7.5.16, tar (node-tar) applies a PAX extended header's size= record (and other PAX overrides) to the next header entry of any type, including intermediary metadata headers such as a GNU long-name (L) or long-link (K) entry. Per POSIX pax, a PAX extended header (x) describes the next file entry, not the intermediary extension headers that may sit between the x header and the file it annotates.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 95%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-436
Published	2026-06-22
Last modified	2026-10-25

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: isaacs

Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-22 16:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-25 23:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

isaacs tar UPGRADE

Affected: < 7.5.16

Fixed in: 7.5.16

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls tar

2. UPGRADE to 7.5.16

npm install tar@">=7.5.16"

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-2026-53655?

tar: upgrade to 7.5.16. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-53655 being exploited?

CVE-2026-53655 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-2026-53655 affect?

CVE-2026-53655 affects tar. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. Prior to 7.5.16, tar (node-tar) applies a PAX extended header's size= record (and other PAX overrides) to the next header entry of any type, including intermediary metadata headers such as a GNU

How urgent is CVE-2026-53655?

Priority 25/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Node.js vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-59871 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE node-tar is a tar archive manipulation library for Node.js
CVE-2026-59873 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE node-tar is a tar archive manipulation library for Node.js
CVE-2026-59874 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE node-tar is a tar archive manipulation library for Node.js

References

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