: When a user or a server-side process attempts to decompress "nickel.zip," the system's hard drive space is instantly filled, and the CPU reaches 100% utilization.
: If a file has 5 layers of recursion, and each layer contains 16 files, the final count of files to be processed is nickel.zip
Most modern operating systems and security software have evolved to neutralize threats like "nickel.zip": : When a user or a server-side process
: Modern ZIP formats can detect when multiple files within an archive point to the same data block, preventing the recursive explosion. Summary Table Description File Type Zip Bomb (Decompression Bomb) Primary Goal Resource Exhaustion (DoS) Method Recursive compression and pattern repetition Max Size Can reach Petabyte scale ( 101510 to the 15th power Risk Level High for unpatched/automated systems (5) SPECIFICATION(S) NOTE TO TENDERERS: : If the software detects that a 1MB
: Scanners are now programmed to stop looking after a certain number of layers (e.g., 5 or 10 deep).
: If the software detects that a 1MB file is trying to expand into 1GB, it will flag the file as a "Decompression Bomb" and halt the process.
: The name "Nickel" likely refers to the small "size" of the initial coin (5 cents) compared to the massive value it "contains" once opened, or simply a modern alias for similar recursive archives. 2. Technical Mechanics