CVE-2018-12015

CVE-2018-12015 is a high-severity vulnerability in Perl with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
• CVSS v2: 6.4
• EPSS exploit prediction: 7% (94th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-59
• Affected product: Perl
• Published: 2018-06-07
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Perl through 5.26.2, the Archive::Tar module allows remote attackers to bypass a directory-traversal protection mechanism, and overwrite arbitrary files, via an archive file containing a symlink and a regular file with the same name.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-12015?

In Perl through 5.26.2, the Archive::Tar module allows remote attackers to bypass a directory-traversal protection mechanism, and overwrite arbitrary files, via an archive file containing a symlink and a regular file with the same name.

How severe is CVE-2018-12015?

CVE-2018-12015 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2018-12015 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 7% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-12015?

CVE-2018-12015 primarily affects Perl. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-12015?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-12015 published?

CVE-2018-12015 was published on 2018-06-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Mar/49
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104423
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041048
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2097
• https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=900834
• https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Mar/42
• https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180927-0001/
• https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209600
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/3684-1/
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/3684-2/
• https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4226
• https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html

Affected products (14)

• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:perl:perl:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:archive\:\:tar_project:archive\:\:tar:*:*:*:*:*:perl:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:data_ontap_edge:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:oncommand_workflow_automation:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snap_creator_framework:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapdrive:-:*:*:*:*:unix:*:*

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• CVE-2018-18311 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Perl before 5.26.3 and 5.28.x before 5.28.1 has a buffer overflow via a crafted regular expression that triggers…
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All CVEs affecting Perl →

Other CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following)) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2024-37143 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell PowerFlex appliance versions prior to IC 46.381.00 and IC 46.376.00, Dell PowerFlex rack versions prior to RCM…
• CVE-2024-28189 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application uses the UNIX chown command on an untrusted file…
• CVE-2024-28185 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application does not account for symlinks placed inside the…
• CVE-2022-22995 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The combination of primitives offered by SMB and AFP in their default configuration allows the arbitrary writing of…
• CVE-2014-4480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Directory traversal vulnerability in afc in AppleFileConduit in Apple iOS before 8.1.3 and Apple TV before 7.0.3 allows…
• CVE-2002-2374 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in pprosetup in Sun PatchPro 2.0 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to "unsafe use…

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

• 182.93.50.90 (ipv4-addr)
• 103.165.139.145 (ipv4-addr)
• 121.40.151.192 (ipv4-addr)
• 40.83.182.122 (ipv4-addr)
• 121.84.147.45 (ipv4-addr)