CVE-2024-48958 is a memory safety vulnerability classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) found in libarchive, an open-source library widely used for reading and writing various archive formats, including RAR. The flaw exists in the execute_filter_delta function within the archive_read_support_format_rar.c source file. The vulnerability arises because the source pointer (src) can move beyond the destination pointer (dst) during the processing of a crafted RAR archive file, leading to out-of-bounds memory access. This improper pointer manipulation can cause memory corruption, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code, crash the application, or leak sensitive information. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access (local vector), low attack complexity, no privileges, but does require user interaction (opening a malicious archive). The scope is unchanged, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild and no official patches have been linked, the vulnerability affects all libarchive versions prior to 3.7.5. Given libarchive's widespread use in many Linux distributions, backup tools, and software that handle compressed archives, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Attackers could craft malicious RAR files that, when opened by vulnerable software, trigger the out-of-bounds access and potentially gain code execution or cause denial of service.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-48958 is substantial due to the widespread use of libarchive in open-source software stacks, backup solutions, and file management tools common in enterprise environments. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data leakage, or system crashes, compromising sensitive data and disrupting business operations. Industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on secure data handling and archival processes are particularly at risk. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users routinely handle archive files from external sources. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in regulatory non-compliance under GDPR and other data protection laws if data confidentiality or integrity is compromised.

1. Update libarchive to version 3.7.5 or later as soon as the patch becomes available to eliminate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are applied, restrict the processing of untrusted or unsolicited RAR archive files, especially from external or unknown sources. 3. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques for software that handles archive files to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Use runtime memory protection mechanisms such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), Data Execution Prevention (DEP), and stack canaries to mitigate exploitation attempts. 5. Educate users about the risks of opening archive files from untrusted sources and enforce strict policies on file handling. 6. Monitor system logs and network activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, including crashes or memory errors related to archive processing. 7. Coordinate with software vendors and Linux distribution maintainers to track patch releases and apply updates promptly. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection systems with signatures for malformed RAR files or suspicious archive processing activities.