Archive_Tar contains Potential RCE if filename starts with phar://
PEAR Archive_Tar version 1.4.3 and earlier contains a CWE-502, CWE-915 vulnerability in the Archive_Tar class. There are several file operations with $v_header['filename'] as parameter (such as file_exists, is_file, is_dir, etc). When extract is called without a specific prefix path, we can trigger unserialization by crafting a tar file with phar://[path_to_malicious_phar_file] as path. Object injection can be used to trigger destruct in the loaded PHP classes, e.g. the Archive_Tar class itself. With Archive_Tar object injection, arbitrary file deletion can occur because @unlink($this->_temp_tarname) is called. If another class with useful gadget is loaded, it may possible to cause remote code execution that can result in files being deleted or possibly modified. This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in 1.4.4.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | pear/archive_tar | < 1.4.4 | 1.4.4 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1000888
- https://github.com/pear/Archive_Tar/commit/59ace120ac5ceb5f0d36e40e48e1884de1badf76
- https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/pear/archive_tar/CVE-2018-1000888.yaml
- https://github.com/pear/Archive_Tar
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/02/msg00020.html
- https://pear.php.net/bugs/bug.php?id=23782
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202006-14
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3857-1
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210328115328/https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3853213/us-18-Thomas-It's-A-PHP-Unserialization-Vulnerability-Jim-But-Not-As-We-....pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220524160841/https://blog.sonarsource.com/new-php-exploitation-technique?redirect=rips
- https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4378
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46108
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
-- Platform
- Composer
- Package
pear/archive_tar- Disclosed
- 07.07.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-3q76-jq6m-573p - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: pear/archive_tar
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 5
- First → latest
- 11.2020 07.2023
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 1
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 4
Disclosures per year
- 2020: 1
- 2021: 2
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
Archive_Tar contains Potential RCE if filename starts with phar:// this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.