Multiple Vulnerabilities in GNU cpio
Multiple vulnerabilities in the GNU cpio utility allow unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass security controls, cause denial of service, or manipulate data during file extraction.
Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in the GNU cpio utility, a common tool used for processing archive files on Linux and Unix systems. These flaws can be triggered by a remote, unauthenticated attacker, potentially leading to security bypasses, denial of service conditions, or arbitrary data manipulation. The impact is specifically localized to the handling, extraction, and processing of cpio archives. Defenders should monitor for unexpected or unauthorized use of the cpio binary, especially when processing externally sourced archive files, as these vulnerabilities are effectively triggered through maliciously crafted archive content.
Impact
Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities allows for the manipulation of files during the extraction process or the consumption of system resources to achieve a denial of service. The scope of impact is limited to systems where untrusted or externally sourced cpio archives are processed. Potential damage includes unauthorized file system access or system instability.
Recommendation
- Inventory all systems within the environment that utilize the GNU cpio binary.
- Prioritize patching or updating cpio to the latest version provided by the distribution vendor.
- Implement strict input validation or sandboxing for any automated service that processes user-submitted cpio archives.
- Review system logs for the execution of cpio involving external file sources.
Mitigations
Update cpio utility across all Linux/Unix systems
cpio