In WinRAR versions prior to and including 5.61, there is a path traversal vulnerability when crafting the filename field of the ACE format (in UNACEV2.dll). This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the filename field with specific patterns, which causes the destination extraction folder to be ignored, treating the filename as an absolute path.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as high, with a CVSS score of 7.8. This indicates a significant risk to organizations that utilize affected versions of WinRAR, particularly given the potential for remote code execution.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and manipulation of files, which may lead to further exploitation or data loss. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, this vulnerability is actively tracked in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating its relevance in the current threat landscape.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that there is a path traversal vulnerability when manipulating the filename field of the ACE format in WinRAR. The CVSS score of 7.8 highlights the high severity of the issue, with potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected products include WinRAR versions prior to and including 5.61, as confirmed by vendor advisories and the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper validation of the filename field in the ACE format, which leads to the path traversal issue. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability via local exploitation, requiring user interaction to trigger the extraction process.
The attack complexity is categorized as low, as the exploitation can be achieved with minimal effort. No privileges are required, but user interaction is necessary when opening the manipulated ACE files.
The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with potential for significant damage if exploited.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk of this vulnerability in real-world deployments is substantial. Organizations using vulnerable versions of WinRAR may face unauthorized file access or data manipulation, leading to severe operational disruptions.
This vulnerability represents a significant threat, especially given its presence in the KEV catalog. Organizations should assess their WinRAR usage and ensure compliance with vendor patching recommendations.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Yes |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to and including 5.61 of WinRAR are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates as per vendor instructions to address this vulnerability. For users unable to apply patches immediately, the following measures are recommended: configuration hardening to restrict file extraction processes, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns.
For further information on how to validate the effectiveness of your security measures, refer to penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation, such as patterns of file extraction requests that deviate from normal operation. Behavioral anomalies, particularly those related to file access, should also be investigated.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability is indicative of the risks associated with file extraction utilities. Security teams should be aware of the potential for similar vulnerabilities in other software applications. It highlights the necessity for regular audits and updates of software to mitigate risks.
For further reading on vulnerability management, refer to our guide on vulnerability management best practices and strategies.
Security teams should also consider insights from our research on penetration testing methodologies to strengthen security postures.
Finally, reviewing our analysis on API security testing can provide additional context on potential attack vectors.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)