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CVE-2023-38831

RARLAB WinRAR Code Execution

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwarePublic exploitEPSS 99.8%
  1. Published23 Aug 2023
  2. Added to CISA KEV24 Aug 2023
  3. Remediation due14 Sept 2023
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

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.

Added to KEV: 24 Aug 2023Federal remediation due: 14 Sept 2023Used in ransomware

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.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Rarlab Winrar< 6.23

Remediation

Fixed in
Rarlab Winrar≥ 6.23

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2023-38831 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-38831 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 24 Aug 2023. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2023-38831?

CVE-2023-38831 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 99.8% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-38831?

Affected products include Rarlab Winrar.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38831?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Rarlab Winrar 6.23 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-38831 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.