CVE-2023-38831

7.8 HIGH CISA KEV - Actively Exploited
Published: August 23, 2023 Modified: October 31, 2025

Description

RARLAB WinRAR before 6.23 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user attempts to view a benign file within a ZIP archive. The issue occurs because a ZIP archive may include a benign file (such as an ordinary .JPG file) and also a folder that has the same name as the benign file, and the contents of the folder (which may include executable content) are processed during an attempt to access only the benign file. This was exploited in the wild in April through October 2023.

AI Explanation

Get an AI-powered plain-language explanation of this vulnerability and remediation steps.

Login to generate AI explanation

CVSS v3.x Details

0.0 Low Medium High Critical 10.0
Vector String
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Patch Vendor Advisory Exploit Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174573/WinRAR-Remote-Code-Execution.html
Source: cve@mitre.org
Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37236100
Source: cve@mitre.org
Issue Tracking
https://www.group-ib.com/blog/cve-2023-38831-winrar-zero-day/
Source: cve@mitre.org
Exploit Press/Media Coverage Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174573/WinRAR-Remote-Code-Execution.html
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/government-backed-actors-exploiting-winrar-vulnerability/
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Exploit Third Party Advisory
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37236100
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Issue Tracking
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/winrar-zero-day-exploited-since-april-to-hack-trading-accounts/
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Exploit Press/Media Coverage Third Party Advisory
https://www.group-ib.com/blog/cve-2023-38831-winrar-zero-day/
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Exploit Press/Media Coverage Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-38831
Source: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
US Government Resource

11 reference(s) from NVD

Quick Stats

CVSS v3 Score
7.8 / 10.0
EPSS (Exploit Probability)
93.6%
100th percentile
Exploitation Status
Actively Exploited
Remediation due: 2023-09-14

Weaknesses (CWE)

Affected Vendors

rarlab