Summary
Arbitrary File Read/Write via Hardlink Target Escape Through Symlink Chain in node-tar Extraction
Impact
Vulnerability type:
- Arbitrary file read/write via archive extraction path confusion and link resolution.
Who is impacted:
- Any application/service that extracts attacker-controlled tar archives with Node
tardefaults. - Impact scope is the privileges of the extracting process user.
Potential outcomes:
- Read sensitive files reachable by the process user.
- Overwrite writable files outside extraction root.
- Escalate impact depending on deployment context (keys, configs, scripts, app data).
Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files. Typical impact: unauthorized file read or write outside the intended directory.
CVE-2026-26960 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). The vector is requires local access, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (7.5.8); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-26960? CVE-2026-26960 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in tar (npm), affecting versions < 7.5.8. It is fixed in 7.5.8. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
- How severe is CVE-2026-26960? CVE-2026-26960 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of tar are affected by CVE-2026-26960? tar (npm) versions < 7.5.8 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-26960? Yes. CVE-2026-26960 is fixed in 7.5.8. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2026-26960 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-26960 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2026-26960 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-26960? Upgrade
tarto 7.5.8 or later.