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PEAR · Archive_Tar

CVE-2020-36193

PEAR Archive_Tar Improper Link Resolution Vulnerability

CISA KEV record

CISA date added
2022-08-25
CISA due date
2022-09-15
Known ransomware use
Unknown

NVD risk context

7.5 HIGH

CVSS is a technical severity score. CISA’s KEV status remains the evidence that this vulnerability is known to be exploited.

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Attack vector
Network
The vulnerable service can be reached remotely over a network.
Attack complexity
Low
Exploitation does not require unusual conditions beyond normal attacker control.
Privileges required
None
The attacker does not need an existing account or privileges.
User interaction
None
No action by another user is required.

Description

PEAR Archive_Tar Tar.php allows write operations with directory traversal due to inadequate checking of symbolic links. PEAR stands for PHP Extension and Application Repository and it is an open-source framework and distribution system for reusable PHP components with known usage in third-party products such as Drupal Core and Red Hat Linux.

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

NVD reference index

Vendor and remediation references

NVD has tagged these sources as vendor advisories, patches, mitigations, or release notes.

Other NVD references (10)

MITRE CWE context

CWE classification

CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

View official MITRE CWE details ↗
CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.

View official MITRE CWE details ↗

NVD record timing

NVD record timeline

These dates describe NVD’s record, not CISA’s KEV addition or remediation due date.

NVD published
Jan 18, 2021, 08:15 PM UTC
When NVD first published this CVE record.
NVD last updated
Jun 17, 2026, 03:14 AM UTC
When NVD last changed its analysis or record data.
Advanced: view the technical CVSS vector

This standardized code is intended for security tools and technical analysts. The plain-language risk summary above explains its main points.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

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CISA notes

https://github.com/pear/Archive_Tar/commit/cde460582ff389404b5b3ccb59374e9b389de916, https://www.drupal.org/sa-core-2021-001, https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2020-36193; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36193