File overwrite via unconfined hardlink targets
Published Aug 3, 2026 · Updated Aug 3, 2026
Path traversal in GNU tar on affected Red Hat products allows local users to overwrite files by extracting a crafted archive. With --one-top-level, hardlink targets resolve from the extraction working directory instead of remaining beneath the designated top-level directory, and a preexisting symlink can bypass normal path protections. Exploitation requires user interaction to extract an untrusted archive with that option from a working directory containing a suitable symlink; default extraction is unaffected.
Summary
What happened
Path traversal in GNU tar on affected Red Hat products allows local users to overwrite files by extracting a crafted archive. With --one-top-level, hardlink targets resolve from the extraction working directory instead of remaining beneath the designated top-level directory, and a preexisting symlink can bypass normal path protections. Exploitation requires user interaction to extract an untrusted archive with that option from a working directory containing a suitable symlink; default extraction is unaffected.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-18508
- Published
- Aug 3, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 3, 2026
- Vendor
- 389 Directory Server
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Classifications
- CWE-59, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 3, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 3, 2026Record 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 versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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