CVE-2007-4131

CVE-2007-4131 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Gnu Tar with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.8)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (84th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Gnu Tar
• Published: 2007-08-25
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the contains_dot_dot function in src/names.c in GNU tar allows user-assisted remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via certain //.. (slash slash dot dot) sequences in directory symlinks in a TAR archive.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2007-4131?

Directory traversal vulnerability in the contains_dot_dot function in src/names.c in GNU tar allows user-assisted remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via certain //.. (slash slash dot dot) sequences in directory symlinks in a TAR archive.

How severe is CVE-2007-4131?

CVE-2007-4131 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2007-4131 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (84th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2007-4131?

CVE-2007-4131 primarily affects Gnu Tar. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2007-4131?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2007-4131 published?

CVE-2007-4131 was published on 2007-08-25 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=251921
• http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307179
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2007/Dec/msg00002.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26573
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26590
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26603
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26604
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26655
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26673
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26674
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26781
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26822
• http://secunia.com/advisories/26984
• http://secunia.com/advisories/27453
• http://secunia.com/advisories/27861
• http://secunia.com/advisories/28136
• http://secunia.com/advisories/28255
• http://security.FreeBSD.org/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-07:10.gtar.asc
• http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200709-09.xml
• http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-77-1021680.1-1
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2007-383.htm
• http://www.debian.org/security/2007/dsa-1438
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2007:173
• http://www.novell.com/linux/security/advisories/2007_18_sr.html
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2007-0860.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/477731/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/477865/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/25417
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1018599
• http://www.trustix.org/errata/2007/0026/

Affected products (16)

• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.13.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.14.90:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.15.90:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.15.91:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:tar:1.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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