7-Zip through 21.07 on Windows allows privilege escalation and command execution when a file with the .7z extension is dragged to the Help>Contents area. This is caused by misconfiguration of 7z.dll and a heap overflow. The command runs in a child process under the 7zFM.exe process. NOTE: multiple third parties have reported that no privilege escalation can occur.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as high, with a CVSS score of 7.8. The implications for organizations can be significant, as the vulnerability can lead to unauthorized command execution, potentially compromising system integrity and confidentiality.
Given the nature of this vulnerability and its potential impact, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Effective remediation and understanding of the risk landscape are crucial for maintaining secure systems.
This vulnerability has been documented but is currently not part of the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that active exploitation in the wild is not confirmed at this time.
Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and take appropriate action to mitigate risks associated with potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
7-Zip through 21.07 on Windows allows privilege escalation and command execution when a file with the .7z extension is dragged to the Help>Contents area. The vulnerability is attributed to a misconfiguration of 7z.dll and a heap overflow. This results in the command executing within a child process under the 7zFM.exe process.
The CVSS score is 7.8, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local with low complexity, requiring low privileges, and does not necessitate user interaction. The potential impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks.
The vulnerability falls under CWE-787 (Access of Memory Location Before Start of Buffer), which is critical for understanding the nature of the issue.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the misconfiguration of the 7z.dll file, which leads to a heap overflow. Attackers may leverage this misconfiguration to execute arbitrary commands within the 7zFM.exe process, thus gaining unauthorized access.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the system where 7-Zip is installed. The complexity of the attack is low, requiring minimal effort from the attacker to exploit the vulnerability.
Privileges required to exploit this vulnerability are low; however, no user interaction is needed. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability losses, highlighting the serious implications of this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment of 7-Zip in environments that handle sensitive data increases the risk associated with this vulnerability. Organizations utilizing 7-Zip should consider the potential for exploitation and the consequences, including unauthorized command execution, data breaches, and system compromise.
The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to any system with 7-Zip installed, especially where users may inadvertently trigger the exploit by interacting with .7z files. This necessitates a comprehensive risk assessment and prioritization of remediation efforts.
Given the CVSS score and the potential impact on organizational security, it is crucial for companies to address this vulnerability in their patch management cycle. Organizations should schedule remediation as part of their risk management strategy.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include all versions of 7-Zip up to and including 21.07. Organizations utilizing these versions should take immediate steps to update and secure their systems.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches and updates provided by 7-Zip. Additionally, they can consider using penetration testing to assess the effectiveness of their remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation, including unusual process execution patterns, and check for any behavioral anomalies related to the execution of 7-Zip. Additionally, network signatures that correlate with known exploitation attempts should be established.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure software configurations. Organizations should take this incident as a lesson to enhance their security posture by implementing rigorous security testing practices, including penetration testing methodologies. Furthermore, the trend of vulnerabilities related to misconfiguration underscores the need for thorough configuration management practices.
By adopting a comprehensive approach to security, organizations can better defend against potential exploits and safeguard their sensitive information. This includes leveraging insights from industry resources such as vulnerability management programs and integrating continuous monitoring strategies.
In conclusion, organizations are encouraged to stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities and continuously adapt their security measures to mitigate risks effectively. Regular engagement with threat intelligence resources and maintaining up-to-date security practices will be vital in the fight against exploitation.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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