CVE Alert: CVE-2025-8088 – win.rar GmbH – WinRAR
CVE-2025-8088
A path traversal vulnerability affecting the Windows version of WinRAR allows the attackers to execute arbitrary code by crafting malicious archive files. This vulnerability was exploited in the wild and was discovered by Anton Cherepanov, Peter Košinár, and Peter Strýček from ESET.
AI Summary Analysis
Risk verdict
Urgent: KEV-listed and exploitation-active, treat as Priority 1.
Why this matters
An attacker can run arbitrary code on a vulnerable Windows archive tool by convincing a user to open a malicious archive, giving code execution under the user’s privileges. With high impact and active exploitation, this risks full host compromise, data loss or exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within affected workstations.
Most likely attack path
The attacker needs local access and user interaction to trigger the path traversal. Code executes with the current user’s privileges, so trusted or admin users raise the risk of rapid system compromise. Lateral movement is possible only within the compromised host; escalating beyond requires higher privileges or additional footholds.
Who is most exposed
Windows endpoints where the archiving utility is installed and used by end users or IT staff, especially in organisations with frequent file exchanges via archives and with users operating with standard/administrative rights.
Detection ideas
- Monitor for unusual process launches of the archiver immediately after opening or extracting suspicious archives.
- Flag archive contents attempting traversal patterns (e.g., excessive relative paths) during extraction.
- Detect abnormal creation or modification of files in extraction destinations shortly after archive handling.
- Correlate user interactions with archive files from unexpected sources (email, web downloads) that precede process spikes.
Mitigation and prioritisation
- Apply the latest available update for the archiving tool; ensure automatic updates where feasible. Treat as priority 1.
- Enforce least-privilege: restrict administrative rights and require user approval for archive extraction in sensitive directories.
- Enable robust EDR/anti-exploitation controls and monitor for anomalous archive handling events.
- Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing for archive operations; block untrusted archive sources where practicable.
- Schedule staged patching with testing in a pilot group before wider deployment.
A considerable amount of time and effort goes into maintaining this website, creating backend automation and creating new features and content for you to make actionable intelligence decisions. Everyone that supports the site helps enable new functionality.
If you like the site, please support us on “Patreon” or “Buy Me A Coffee” using the buttons below
To keep up to date follow us on the below channels.
