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Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability · CVE-2018-20482

GNU Tar through 1.30, when --sparse is used, mishandles file shrinkage during read access, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite read loop in sparse_dump_

Published Dec 26, 2018 · catalog updated Oct 14, 2026 · GNU Tar through 1.30,

Check if you run it

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2018-20482. EPSS is 0.53%. Act only if a listed version of GNU Tar through 1.30, is installed.

Gaps on this record

  • The stored product name is a package slug. The name on this page is taken from the title (GNU Tar through 1.30,).
  • No vendor fix or required action is stored. Compare the linked advisory before you change production.
Severity
Medium4.7
Known exploitation
Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
EPSS
0.53%
Remediation
Advisory link
Affected products
Debian:12 tar · Debian:13 tar · Debian:14 tar · cpe debian/debian linux · cpe gnu/tar · cpe opensuse/leap

GNU Tar through 1.30, when --sparse is used, mishandles file shrinkage during read access, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite read loop in sparse_dump_region in sparse.c) by modifying a file that is supposed to be archived by a different user's process (e.g., a system backup running as root).

Are you affected?

Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.

The check returns affected, not affected, or incomplete. It does not guess a version that is missing from the record.

  • Debian:12 tar0 → 1.30+dfsg-3.1
  • Debian:13 tar0 → 1.30+dfsg-3.1
  • Debian:14 tar0 → 1.30+dfsg-3.1
  • cpe debian/debian linux8.0
  • cpe debian/debian linux9.0
  • cpe gnu/tarversion unspecified
  • cpe opensuse/leap15.0

How to fix CVE-2018-20482

What to do

Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.

Should you patch?

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2018-20482. EPSS is 0.53%. Act only if a listed version of GNU Tar through 1.30, is installed.

Which versions are affected?

Compare what you have installed with debian/debian linux 8.0; debian/debian linux 9.0. Compare the installed version with the linked vendor advisory before you change production.

What should an analyst verify?

CWE-835: Infinite Loop. EPSS 0.53%. There is no CISA KEV listing. No Exploit-DB or Metasploit reference is linked. Use the source links for the original advisory.

Technology hubs

Debian security

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

No public source repository is identified for this product.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Dec 26, 2018 · NIST NVD

    Detected

    GNU Tar through 1.30, when --sparse is used, mishandles file shrinkage during read access, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite read loop in sparse_dump_region in sparse.c) by modifying a file that is supposed to be archived by a different user's process (e.g., a system backup running as root).

  2. Oct 14, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Updated

    GNU Tar through 1.30, when --sparse is used, mishandles file shrinkage during read access, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite read loop in sparse_dump_region in sparse.c) by modifying a file that is supposed to be archived by a different user's process (e.g., a system backup running as root).

  3. Oct 14, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Fix available

    tar fixed in 1.30+dfsg-3.1; tar fixed in 1.30+dfsg-3.1; tar fixed in 1.30+dfsg-3.1

  4. Oct 14, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Fix available

    tar fixed in 1.30+dfsg-3.1

  5. Oct 14, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Updated

    GNU Tar through 1.30, when --sparse is used, mishandles file shrinkage during read access, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite read loop in sparse_dump_region in sparse.c) by modifying a file that is supposed to be archived by a different user's process (e.g., a system backup running as root).

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2018-20482

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2018-20482

    30-day exploitation probability 0.5%

    first.org
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2018-20482

    GNU Tar through 1.30, when --sparse is used, mishandles file shrinkage during read access, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite read loop in sparse_dump_region in sparse.c) by modifying a file that is supposed to be archived by a different user's proces

    nvd.nist.gov
  • OpenSSF OSV / OSV ScannerPackage advisoryDEBIAN-CVE-2018-20482
    osv.dev

References

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog Oct 16, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.