CVE-2026-24846: malcontent's archive extraction could write outside extraction directory

Description

malcontent discovers supply-chain compromises through. context, differential analysis, and YARA. Starting in version 1.8.0 and prior to version 1.20.3, malcontent could be made to create symlinks outside the intended extraction directory when scanning a specially crafted tar or deb archive. The `handleSymlink` function received arguments in the wrong order, causing the symlink target to be used as the symlink location. Additionally, symlink targets were not validated to ensure they resolved within the extraction directory. Version 1.20.3 introduces fixes that swap handleSymlink arguments, validate symlink location, and validate symlink targets that resolve within an extraction directory.

CVSS vector

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

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges

Low

User interaction

Required

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Scope

Unchanged

Exploitation

Is it being used?

Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.2% · higher than 8% of CVEs

Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet

CISA KEVNot listed

Ransomware campaign useNot known

Affected products

Which versions

MA

malcontent · chainguard-dev

>= 1.8.0, < 1.20.3 · source: vendor, NVD