# CVE-2019-9923: tar: pax_decode_header in sparse.c in GNU Tar before 1.32 had a NULL pointer dereference when parsing certain archives tha...

CVE-2019-9923 is fixed in 2 products on 1 platform, first by tar 1.29b-2ubuntu0.2, released March 22, 2019. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2019-9923
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a (Low)
- EPSS: 0.0315
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Mar 22, 2019

## Description

pax_decode_header in sparse.c in GNU Tar before 1.32 had a NULL pointer dereference when parsing certain archives that have malformed extended headers.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | tar Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 1.29b-2ubuntu0.2 | [tar 1.29b-2ubuntu0.2](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-tar-1.29b-2ubuntu0.2.md) | Mar 22, 2019 |
| Linux | tar Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 1.30+dfsg-7ubuntu0.20.04.1 | [tar 1.30+dfsg-7ubuntu0.20.04.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-tar-1.30-dfsg-7ubuntu0.20.04.1.md) | Mar 22, 2019 |
| Linux | tar-scripts Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 1.29b-2ubuntu0.2 | [tar-scripts 1.29b-2ubuntu0.2](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-tar-scripts-1.29b-2ubuntu0.2.md) | Mar 22, 2019 |
| Linux | tar-scripts Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 1.30+dfsg-7ubuntu0.20.04.1 | [tar-scripts 1.30+dfsg-7ubuntu0.20.04.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-tar-scripts-1.30-dfsg-7ubuntu0.20.04.1.md) | Mar 22, 2019 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-07T18:46:35Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.