CVE-2020-36193Known exploitationNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary file write via out-of-path symlink extraction

Published Jan 18, 2021 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

Path traversal in PEAR Archive_Tar 1.4.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to write files outside the extraction directory. The _extractList method accepts a symbolic-link target without verifying that its resolved parent remains under the requested extraction path. Exploitation requires an application to extract an attacker-controlled tar archive with symbolic-link handling enabled, after which archive contents can be written through the link.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability70.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in PEAR Archive_Tar 1.4.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to write files outside the extraction directory. The _extractList method accepts a symbolic-link target without verifying that its resolved parent remains under the requested extraction path. Exploitation requires an application to extract an attacker-controlled tar archive with symbolic-link handling enabled, after which archive contents can be written through the link.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36193
Published
Jan 18, 2021
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-22, CWE-59, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 18, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5CISA ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationReported
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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