CVE-2026-29786: isaacs node-tar Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-29786 is a high (CVSS 8.6) Path Traversal vulnerability in isaacs node-tar. EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 32.9% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 07-03-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 01-09-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. Prior to version 7.5.10, tar can be tricked into creating a hardlink that points outside the extraction directory by using a drive-relative link target such as C:../target.txt, which enables file overwrite outside cwd during normal tar.x() extraction. This issue has been patched in version 7.5.10.

• CWE-22Improper 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.
• CWE-59Improper 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.