CVE-2023-7207Public exploit

Arbitrary file writes via archive symlink traversal

Published Jan 5, 2024 · Updated May 7, 2025

Path traversal in Debian cpio before 2.14+dfsg-1 allows attackers to write files outside the extraction directory via a crafted archive. In copy-in mode with --no-absolute-filenames, a directory symlink created from one archive entry is followed when later entries are written. Extraction of an attacker-controlled archive with that option is required, and writes occur with the cpio process's filesystem privileges.

CVSS severity4.9
Medium
EPSS probability0.91%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in Debian cpio before 2.14+dfsg-1 allows attackers to write files outside the extraction directory via a crafted archive. In copy-in mode with --no-absolute-filenames, a directory symlink created from one archive entry is followed when later entries are written. Extraction of an attacker-controlled archive with that option is required, and writes occur with the cpio process's filesystem privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-7207
Published
Jan 5, 2024
Updated
May 7, 2025
Vendor
Debian
Product
cpio
Classifications
CWE-22, T1204.002
Attack vector
Unavailable
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 5, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 7, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2.14+dfsg-1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorUnavailable in this record.
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Debian · cpioversion=0 <2.14+dfsg-1

Published CVSS scores

4.9Canonical Ltd.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
VectorUnavailable
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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