Hardlink Exploit in node-tar <=7.5.7 Allows Arbitrary File RW
CVE-2026-26960 Published on February 20, 2026

node-tar has Arbitrary File Read/Write via Hardlink Target Escape Through Symlink Chain in Extraction
node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. When using default options in versions 7.5.7 and below, an attacker-controlled archive can create a hardlink inside the extraction directory that points to a file outside the extraction root, enabling arbitrary file read and write as the extracting user. Severity is high because the primitive bypasses path protections and turns archive extraction into a direct filesystem access primitive. This issue has been fixed in version 7.5.8.

Github Repository NVD

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-26960 is exploitable with local system access, requires user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have a high impact on confidentiality and integrity, and no impact on availability.

Attack Vector:
LOCAL
Attack Complexity:
LOW
Privileges Required:
NONE
User Interaction:
REQUIRED
Scope:
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality Impact:
HIGH
Integrity Impact:
HIGH
Availability Impact:
NONE

Weakness Type

What is a Directory traversal Vulnerability?

The software 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 software 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.

CVE-2026-26960 has been classified to as a Directory traversal vulnerability or weakness.


Affected Versions

isaacs node-tar Version < 7.5.8 is affected by CVE-2026-26960

Vulnerable Packages

The following package name and versions may be associated with CVE-2026-26960

Package Manager Vulnerable Package Versions Fixed In
npm tar < 7.5.8 7.5.8

Exploit Probability

EPSS
0.01%
Percentile
0.85%

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.