# RLSA-2023:2898: libtar security update

RLSA-2023:2898, released December 27, 2025, fixes 4 CVEs in libtar (version 0:1.2.20-17.el8). None of them is reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/fix/linux/rlsa-2023-2898
- Platform: Linux
- Released: Dec 27, 2025
- Priority: High (Closes CVE-2021-33645, high severity)
- CVEs: 4, exploited: 0, on CISA KEV: 0
- Vendor advisory: https://errata.rockylinux.org/RLSA-2023:2898

## Applies to

| Product | Release | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| [libtar](https://patchblox.com/security/data/product/linux/libtar.md) | rocky 8 | 0:1.2.20-17.el8 |

## CVEs this fix closes

| CVE | Priority | Title | CVSS | EPSS | Exploitation |
|---|---|---|---:|---:|---|
| [CVE-2021-33645](https://patchblox.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2021-33645.md) | High | libtar0t64: The th_read() function doesn’t free a variable t->th_buf.gnu_longlink afterallocating memory, which may cause a memor... | 7.5 | 0.0202 |  |
| [CVE-2021-33646](https://patchblox.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2021-33646.md) | High | libtar0t64: The th_read() function doesn’t free a variable t->th_buf.gnu_longname afterallocating memory, which may cause a memor... | 7.5 | 0.0200 |  |
| [CVE-2021-33643](https://patchblox.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2021-33643.md) | High | libtar0t64: An attacker who submits a crafted tar file with size in header struct being0 may be able to trigger an calling of mal... | 9.1 | 0.0188 |  |
| [CVE-2021-33644](https://patchblox.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2021-33644.md) | High | libtar0t64: An attacker who submits a crafted tar file with size in header struct being0 may be able to trigger an calling of mal... | 8.1 | 0.0158 |  |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T00:53:09Z 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 Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo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.