Node tar: Prior to 7.5.18, tar.replace accepts a checksum-valid tar header with a negative base-256 encoded entry
Affects node-tarSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.7 High · fixed in 7.5.18 : patch node-tar soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 37% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.5.18
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 Jul 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10node-tarpkg:deb/ubuntu/node-tar?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSnode-tarpkg:deb/ubuntu/node-tar?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10node-tarpkg:deb/ubuntu/node-tar?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnode-tarpkg:deb/ubuntu/node-tar?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSnode-tarpkg:deb/ubuntu/node-tar?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSnode-tarpkg:deb/ubuntu/node-tar?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Upgrade node-tar to version 7.5.18 or later where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are specified.
Description
CVE-2026-59874 is a vulnerability in the node-tar library for Node.js versions prior to 7.5.18. The tar.replace function can accept a checksum-valid tar header with a negative base-256 encoded entry size, causing the archive scanner to stall by repeatedly parsing the same header. This issue is resolved in version 7.5.18.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-59874 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-59874 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/isaacs/node-tar/security/advisories/GHSA-8x88-c5mf-7j5w (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/isaacs/node-tar/commit/9e78bf058b2c22dd4d52e00d8922d5c06fc2f7b5 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/isaacs/node-tar/releases/tag/v7.5.18 (opens in a new tab)