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CVE Record

CVE-2017-14166: libarchive 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (xml_data heap-based buffer over-read...

libarchive 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (xml_data heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted xar archive, related to the mishandling of empty strings in the atol8 function in archive_read_support_format_xar.c.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This vulnerability can crash software that uses libarchive 3.3.2 when it processes a specially crafted XAR archive. The known impact is denial of service, not data theft or code execution based on the provided sources.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted availability risk. Prioritize exposed archive-processing services and automated ingestion pipelines, but it is not supported as actively exploited or code-execution capable by the provided evidence.

Technical view

CVE-2017-14166 is a heap-based buffer over-read in libarchive's XAR reader, tied to mishandling empty strings in atol8 within archive_read_support_format_xar.c. A crafted XAR archive can trigger xml_data processing failure and application crash.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where libarchive 3.3.2 processes untrusted archives, such as upload handlers, scanners, extraction services, package workflows, or desktop tools. The source bundle does not identify specific downstream products beyond libarchive and distribution packages.

Exploitation context

The CVE describes remote attackers using a crafted XAR archive to cause a crash. CISA KEV status is false in the bundle, and no provided source states active exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

Source wording identifies a heap-based buffer over-read, while one Gentoo reference title says buffer overflow. Keep analysis anchored to the CVE description and upstream fix until vendor advisories provide more detail.

Mitigation direction

  • Update libarchive through the relevant vendor security channel.
  • Apply Debian, Ubuntu, or Gentoo security updates where those distributions are in use.
  • Check upstream libarchive guidance and the referenced fix commit for source-built deployments.
  • Reduce exposure by limiting untrusted XAR archive processing where updates are delayed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems and applications using libarchive 3.3.2.
  • Confirm distribution packages include the cited Debian, Ubuntu, or Gentoo security update.
  • For source builds, verify the upstream fix commit is present.
  • Review archive-processing entry points for untrusted XAR input.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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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CVE-2017-14166 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
7Source 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
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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