Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
- EPSS is 0.37% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2025
CVE-2025-25724High confidence
libarchive — Unchecked Return Value
libarchive · libarchive
4.0MediumCVSS 3.1
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
Fix availability varies by productMedium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityMedium→Operational priority:Medium, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
- Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs libarchive libarchive and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
- Debian Security Tracker: 2 affected package states with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
8 package statesRelease-specific package status
Alpine, Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
| Distribution release | Source package | Vendor state | Fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.23v3.23 · main | libarchive | Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected. | 3.7.9-r0 | Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 3 Oct 2026 |
| Alpine v3.22v3.22 · main | libarchive | Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected. | 3.7.9-r0 | Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 3 Oct 2026 |
| Alpine v3.21v3.21 · main | libarchive | Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected. | 3.7.9-r0 | Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 3 Oct 2026 |
| Debian trixietrixie · source | libarchive | Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open. | Not published in this feed | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian bookwormbookworm · source | libarchive | Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open. | Not published in this feed | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian forkyforky · source | libarchive | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 3.8.4-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian sidsid · source | libarchive | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 3.8.4-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · standard archive | libarchive | Vendor fix publishedCanonical reports that a fixed source package version has been published. Repository candidate availability is not checked by BlackTree. | 3.7.2-2ubuntu0.4 | Canonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026 |
Direct vendor intelligence
1 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
CVE-2025-25724 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitylibarchive: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libarchive
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- libarchive as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libarchive-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libarchive.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- bsdcpio as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- bsdtar as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libarchive as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libarchive-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libarchive.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- bsdtar as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libarchive as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libarchive-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libarchive.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Summary
- A flaw was found in the libarchive package. Affected versions of libarchive do not check a strftime return value, which can lead to a denial of service or unspecified other impacts via a crafted TAR archive that is read with a verbose value of 2. For example, the 100-byte buffer may not be sufficient for a custom locale.
- Remediation
- For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product01
What, why and how
list_item_verbose in tar/util.c in libarchive through 3.7.7 does not check an strftime return value, which can lead to a denial of service or unspecified other impact via a crafted TAR archive that is read with a verbose value of 2. For example, the 100-byte buffer may not be sufficient for a custom locale.
What
list_item_verbose in tar/util.c in libarchive through 3.7.7 does not check an strftime return value, which can lead to a denial of service or unspecified other impact via a crafted TAR archive that is read with a verbose value of 2. For example, the 100-byte buffer may not be sufficient for a custom locale.
Why
The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.
What
list_item_verbose in tar/util.c in libarchive through 3.7.7 does not check an strftime return value, which can lead to a denial of service or unspecified other impact via a crafted TAR archive that is read with a verbose value of 2. For example, the 100-byte buffer may not be sufficient for a custom locale.
Why
The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material Reference recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.
- Likely attack path
- local access → Unchecked Return Value → disrupt the affected service
- Attack surface
- Local
- Privileges required
- None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
- Security boundary
- Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-252 ↗
CWE-252: Unchecked Return Value. The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:LCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CNoneConfidentiality impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.ILowIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.ALowAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- The issue can support a local privilege or sandbox boundary transition; normal system utilities may then be available in the gained context.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Fix availability varies by product
- Affected
- libarchive as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libarchive-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libarchive.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- bsdcpio as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- bsdtar as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libarchive as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libarchive-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libarchive.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- bsdtar as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libarchive as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libarchive-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libarchive.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Fixed
- bsdcat-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcat-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcat-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcat-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcpio-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcpio-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcpio-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdcpio-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdtar-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdunzip-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdunzip-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdunzip-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- bsdunzip-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debuginfo-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debugsource-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debugsource-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debugsource-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-debugsource-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-devel-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- libarchive-devel-0:3.7.7-3.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- and 162 more
- Action
- Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
- Workaround
- No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 2 Mar 2025 · Last source change 4 Mar 2025, 19:00 UTC · CWE-252 · Unchecked Return Value
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2025-5869
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD enriched
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
- Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.Red Hat Product Security ↗
- Before
- ≤ 3.7.7 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
- After
- ≤ 3.7.7 · Fixed: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
- Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Patch available.Red Hat Product Security ↗
- Before
- Awaiting fix
- After
- Patch available
CVE published
Fixed release recorded from official guidance
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.