WinRAR and CVE-2025-8088
CVE-2025-8088 is a high‑severity, widely exploited vulnerability in WinRAR (Windows) that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via specially crafted archive files. Here’s a clear, concise breakdown: Overview Type: Path traversal vulnerability (CWE‑35) Affected software: WinRAR (Windows) up to version 7.12 Fixed in: WinRAR 7.13 (released July 30, 2025) Severity: High (CVSS ~8.8) Status: Actively exploited in the wild (including as a zero‑day) What the vulnerability is The flaw is caused by improper validation of file paths inside RAR archives: Attackers can embed malicious paths (e.g., ../ ) in archive contents. When extracted, WinRAR may write files outside the intended directory . This enables attackers to place files in sensitive locations like: Windows Startup folder System directories Result: Arbitrary code execution on the victim’s machine. How exploitation works Typical attack chain: Attacker crafts a malicious RAR archive Victim receives it (usually via phishing ...