CVE-2026-26960

node-tar has Arbitrary File Read/Write via Hardlink Target Escape Through Symlink Chain in Extraction

Published Feb 20, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. When using default options in versions 7.5.7 and below, an attacker-controlled archive can create a hardlink inside the extraction directory that points to a file outside the extraction root, enabling arbitrary file read and write as the extracting user. Severity is high because the primitive bypasses path protections and turns archive extraction into a direct filesystem access primitive. This issue has been fixed in version 7.5.8.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4552-1 node-tar security update
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4712-1 node-tar security update
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-83g3-92jg-28cx Arbitrary File Read/Write via Hardlink Target Escape Through Symlink Chain in node-tar Extraction
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:isaacs:tar:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Isaacs
Isaacs tar
Vendors & Products Isaacs
Isaacs tar
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. When using default options in versions 7.5.7 and below, an attacker-controlled archive can create a hardlink inside the extraction directory that points to a file outside the extraction root, enabling arbitrary file read and write as the extracting user. Severity is high because the primitive bypasses path protections and turns archive extraction into a direct filesystem access primitive. This issue has been fixed in version 7.5.8.
Title node-tar has Arbitrary File Read/Write via Hardlink Target Escape Through Symlink Chain in Extraction
Weaknesses CWE-22
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Feb 20, 2026, 3:35 PM
Reserved
Feb 16, 2026, 10:20 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Feb 20, 2026, 2:16 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 10:26 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Feb 20, 2026, 1:07 AM