GNU Tar: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

Background

GNU Tar is a utility to create archives as well as add and extract files from archives.

Description

GNU Tar is vulnerable to a boundary error in the rmt_read__ function in lib/rtapelib.c, which could cause a heap-based buffer overflow.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice the user to load a specially crafted archive, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code or a Denial of Service.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All GNU Tar users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-arch/tar-1.23"

NOTE: This is a legacy GLSA. Updates for all affected architectures are available since July 18, 2010. It is likely that your system is already no longer affected by this issue.