CVE-2023-38831RARLAB WinRAR before 6.23 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user attempts to view a benign file within a ZIP archive.
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CISA lists it as known exploited since Aug 24, 2023; federal agencies had to remediate by Sep 14, 2023, and it is known to be used in ransomware. Treat that date as your deadline.
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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
- 7.8 HIGH (v3.1, CISA ADP)CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-351
- Known exploited
- Added to CISA KEV Aug 24, 2023; federal remediation due Sep 14, 2023; known ransomware useApply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 99.81% (percentile 100)
- Assigned by
- mitre
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Aug 5, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
rarlab winrar rarlab:winrar | before 6.23 | CISA ADP |
rarlab winrar rarlab:winrar | before 6.23 | NVD |
References
- https://www.group-ib.com/blog/cve-2023-38831-winrar-zero-day/exploit, press/media-coverage, third-party-advisory
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/winrar-zero-day-exploited-since-april-to-hack-trading-accounts/exploit, press/media-coverage, third-party-advisory
- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37236100issue-tracking
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174573/WinRAR-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlexploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/government-backed-actors-exploiting-winrar-vulnerability/exploit, third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-38831us-government-resource
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.