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CVE Record

CVE-2020-36314: fr-archive-libarchive.c in GNOME file-roller through 3.38.0, as used by GNOME Shell and other software, all...

fr-archive-libarchive.c in GNOME file-roller through 3.38.0, as used by GNOME Shell and other software, allows Directory Traversal during extraction because it lacks a check of whether a file's parent is a symlink in certain complex situations. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2020-11736.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

GNOME file-roller through 3.38.0 can extract crafted archives outside the intended folder in complex symlink cases. That can place files where the user did not expect on Linux desktops or systems using file-roller behavior. Sources do not provide a CVSS score or confirm active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate endpoint hygiene issue. It is not KEV-listed and lacks confirmed exploitation, but archive extraction is a common user action and the flaw can violate file placement assumptions.

Technical view

fr-archive-libarchive.c lacked a check for whether a file's parent was a symlink during extraction, leaving directory traversal after the incomplete CVE-2020-11736 fix. A GNOME commit addresses the issue, and Fedora published an update advisory. Available CVE data lists no CPEs, CWE, or CVSS.

Likely exposure

Likely exposure is Linux endpoints with GNOME file-roller through 3.38.0, including software paths that use it for archive extraction. The provided CVE affected-product metadata is incomplete, so package inventory should drive scope.

Exploitation context

The bundle supports a malicious-archive extraction scenario, not remote unauthenticated exploitation. KEV is false, and no cited source states active exploitation in the wild. Practical impact depends on where files can be written and user context.

Researcher notes

The main evidence is the CVE description, GNOME issue, GNOME fix commit, and Fedora advisory. The record lacks CVSS, CPEs, CWE, and detailed impact boundaries, so avoid overclaiming affected downstream software or exploitation status.

Mitigation direction

  • Update file-roller using vendor or distribution packages.
  • Prioritize Fedora systems covered by the listed advisory.
  • Restrict opening untrusted archives until patched.
  • Check GNOME and distribution guidance for supported fixed versions.
  • Harden desktop handling of downloaded or emailed archives.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed file-roller versions on Linux endpoints.
  • Flag versions through 3.38.0 for review.
  • Confirm distribution packages include the GNOME fix commit.
  • Review endpoint telemetry for unusual archive extraction behavior.
  • Verify no unsafe archive workflows remain in support procedures.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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

File access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-36314 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
4Source 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

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