CVE-2016-6321

Name: CVE-2016-6321
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-12-09T22:59:00.17+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 15.15%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6321 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. Directory traversal vulnerability in the safer_name_suffix function in GNU tar 1.14 through 1.29 might allow remote attackers to bypass an intended protection mechanism and write to arbitrary files via vectors related to improper sanitization of the file_name parameter, aka POINTYFEATHER.. EPSS estimates a 15.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the safer_name_suffix function in GNU tar 1.14 through 1.29 might allow remote attackers to bypass an intended protection mechanism and write to arbitrary files via vectors related to improper sanitization of the file_name parameter, aka POINTYFEATHER.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

EPSS Probability

15.15%

96.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Tar	1.14
Gnu	Tar	1.15
Gnu	Tar	1.15.1
Gnu	Tar	1.15.90
Gnu	Tar	1.15.91
Gnu	Tar	1.16
Gnu	Tar	1.16.1
Gnu	Tar	1.17
Gnu	Tar	1.18
Gnu	Tar	1.19
Gnu	Tar	1.20
Gnu	Tar	1.21
Gnu	Tar	1.22
Gnu	Tar	1.23
Gnu	Tar	1.24
Gnu	Tar	1.25
Gnu	Tar	1.26
Gnu	Tar	1.27
Gnu	Tar	1.27.1
Gnu	Tar	1.28
Gnu	Tar	1.29

References

http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/tar.git/commit/?id=7340f67b9860ea0531c1450e5aa261c50f67165dIssue Tracking, Patch
http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-tar/2016-10/msg00016.htmlMailing List, Vendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/139370/GNU-tar-1.29-Extract-Pathname-Bypass.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Oct/102Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Oct/96Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3702
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93937Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3132-1
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201611-19
https://sintonen.fi/advisories/tar-extract-pathname-bypass.proper.txtThird Party Advisory
http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/tar.git/commit/?id=7340f67b9860ea0531c1450e5aa261c50f67165dIssue Tracking, Patch
http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-tar/2016-10/msg00016.htmlMailing List, Vendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/139370/GNU-tar-1.29-Extract-Pathname-Bypass.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Oct/102Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Oct/96Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3702
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93937Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3132-1
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201611-19
https://sintonen.fi/advisories/tar-extract-pathname-bypass.proper.txtThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 9, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6321?

How severe is CVE-2016-6321?

CVE-2016-6321 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 15.15% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6321?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-6321?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST