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Findings

CVE-2023-38831

RARLAB WinRAR Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Aug 23, 2023 · updated Aug 4, 2026 · rarlab winrar

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.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Aug 23, 2023 · Catalog

    Detected

    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 acc

  2. Aug 24, 2023 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

  3. Sep 14, 2023 · CISA KEV

    Remediation due

    Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

  4. Aug 4, 2026 · Catalog

    Updated

    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 acc

Required action

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

CISA due date Sep 14, 2023

Affected

  • cpe rarlab/winrarversion unspecified
  • vendor RARLAB WinRARversion unspecified

Sources

  • CISA KEVCVE-2023-38831

    RARLAB WinRAR contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute code when a user attempts to view a benign file within a ZIP archive.

    cisa.gov
  • CVE.orgCVE-2023-38831

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSCVE-2023-38831

    30-day exploitation probability 99.8%

    first.org
  • Metasploit Modulesexploit_windows/fileformat/winrar_cve_2023_38831

    Public module reference (excellent). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • NIST NVDCVE-2023-38831

    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 b

    nvd.nist.gov
  • Packet Storm Securityhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174573/WinRAR-Remote-Code-Execution.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com

References