Directory Traversal Vulnerability in php-pear Package - CVE-2020-36193

php-pear Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

18/01/2021
N/A
Yes i
High
7.5

CVE-2020-36193: Tar.php in Archive_Tar through 1.4.11 allows write operations with Directory Traversal due to inadequate checking of symbolic links, a related issue to CVE-2020-28948. Affects php-pear across 3 version ranges.

< 1:1.10.12+submodules+notgz+20210212-1 >= 497914920385b7016ac9c9367e0198530787adf2, < 8c555d9b7d3a202cee756104b48e580ae41a6379 < cde460582ff389404b5b3ccb59374e9b389de916

Fixed in 1:1.10.12+submodules+notgz+20210212-1. How to fix ↓

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats
SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml
Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile
Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml
PHP composer.lock
Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock
Go go.mod
Rust Cargo.lock
Ruby Gemfile.lock
Dart pubspec.lock
C/C++ conan.lock
Elixir mix.lock
Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Sponsored Devnack Penetration testing for web, API and mobile Manual testing by engineers who build software, not an auditor's checklist. Trusted by teams at Swift and Google Talk to Devnack

Background

The php-pear package is a widely used framework and distribution system for reusable PHP components. It provides a structured way to manage libraries and dependencies in PHP applications. However, the package has been found to be vulnerable to a directory traversal issue, specifically in the Archive_Tar component, which can lead to unauthorized write operations.

Vulnerability Detail

CVE-2020-36193 is a directory traversal vulnerability found in Tar.php of the Archive_Tar package through version 1.4.11. This vulnerability arises from inadequate checks on symbolic links, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially write files outside the intended directory. The ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive files and the possibility of executing malicious scripts, which could compromise the integrity of the application.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1:1.10.12+submodules+notgz+20210212-1

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade php-pear

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, ensure that your application does not allow user input to dictate file paths. Implement strict validation and sanitization of any file paths used in your application to mitigate the risk of directory traversal attacks.

Conclusion

CVE-2020-36193 is a significant vulnerability in the php-pear package that can lead to directory traversal attacks. It is crucial to update to the latest version to mitigate risks. Implementing strict validation on file paths and using tools like Vulert can help monitor and protect against such vulnerabilities.

See every vulnerability recorded for php-pear →

Share this vulnerability

FAQ

CVE-2020-36193 is a vulnerability in the php-pear package that allows directory traversal due to inadequate checks on symbolic links.

This vulnerability can allow attackers to write files outside the intended directories, potentially leading to unauthorized access and execution of malicious code.

The vulnerability affects php-pear versions prior to 1:1.10.12+submodules+notgz+20210212-1.

You can check if your application is affected by using Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to test your application without signup.

The CVSS score for CVE-2020-36193 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for php-pear.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1:1.10.12+submodules+notgz+20210212-1

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade php-pear

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Subscribe to Vulert on Telegram
Daily digest of new CVEs, critical and high severity, affected packages and fixes — plus a weekly roundup.
Join the channel →
Help improve this record
Report an issue or send feedback