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CVE Record

CVE-2011-3631: Hardlink before 0.1.2 has multiple integer overflows leading to heap-based buffer overflows because of the...

Hardlink before 0.1.2 has multiple integer overflows leading to heap-based buffer overflows because of the way string lengths concatenation is done in the calculation of the required memory space to be used. A remote attacker could provide a specially-crafted directory tree and trick the local user into consolidating it, leading to hardlink executable crash or potentially arbitrary code execution with user privileges.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw affects the hardlink utility when it processes a malicious directory tree. If a user is convinced to consolidate that tree, the tool may crash or potentially run attacker-controlled code as that user. No active exploitation is cited in the supplied sources.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted hygiene issue, not an emergency internet-wide event. Prioritize environments that process untrusted file trees or package archives, and confirm vendor package status because severity and affected-version evidence are incomplete.

Technical view

Hardlink before 0.1.2 has integer overflows in string-length concatenation used for memory allocation. The miscalculation can lead to heap-based buffer overflows while processing crafted directory structures. The supplied affected-version evidence is inconsistent, listing 0.3.0 while the description says before 0.1.2.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on systems with the hardlink utility installed where users process untrusted directory trees. Servers are mainly exposed if operational workflows run hardlink against downloaded, extracted, or externally supplied file trees.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources describe a remote attacker providing a crafted directory tree and tricking a local user into consolidating it. KEV is false, and no cited source in the bundle claims active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Key uncertainty is affected-version scope: the source bundle states hardlink before 0.1.2, but also lists version 0.3.0 as affected. Validate against Debian and Red Hat trackers before closing exposure. No CVSS, CWE, patch details, or exploitation confirmation are supplied.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify systems with the hardlink utility installed.
  • Check installed hardlink versions against vendor advisories.
  • Upgrade to a vendor-fixed package where available.
  • Avoid running hardlink on untrusted directory trees.
  • Check Debian and Red Hat guidance for distribution-specific status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory packages named hardlink across Linux hosts.
  • Confirm whether workflows process externally supplied directory trees.
  • Review vendor tracker status for affected distributions.
  • Prioritize hosts where hardlink runs in automation.
  • Document any version ambiguity for exception review.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2011-3631 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
hardlinkhardlink0.3.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.