Security Bypass in WinRAR Affects Various Executable Files
CVE-2025-31334

6.8MEDIUM

Key Information:

Vendor
Rarlab
Status
Winrar
Vendor
CVE Published:
3 April 2025

Badges

📈 Score: 1,700💰 Ransomware👾 Exploit Exists📰 News Worthy

What is CVE-2025-31334?

CVE-2025-31334 is a security vulnerability found in WinRAR, a widely used file compression and archive management software developed by Rarlab. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions of WinRAR prior to 7.11 and allows attackers to bypass the "Mark of the Web" security warning function. By exploiting this flaw through specially crafted symbolic links pointing to executable files, malicious actors could execute arbitrary code on a victim's system, posing serious risks for organizations relying on WinRAR for file management.

Technical Details

The vulnerability exists due to a failure in WinRAR to appropriately handle symbolic links that reference executable files. When an affected version of WinRAR opens a symbolic link that has been manipulated by an attacker, it does not trigger the expected security warning. This lack of protection allows for the execution of potentially harmful code without user consent or awareness. Thus, users may unknowingly run malicious software simply by interacting with seemingly benign compressed files or links.

Potential Impact of CVE-2025-31334

  1. Arbitrary Code Execution: The primary threat posed by this vulnerability is the possibility of executing arbitrary code, which could lead to system takeover or the installation of malware on the user’s machine.

  2. Data Breaches: Exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to access sensitive data stored on the compromised system, leading to significant data breaches that may result in financial loss and reputational damage for affected organizations.

  3. Spread of Malware: Successful exploitation might not only affect the initial victim but also facilitate the dissemination of malware throughout connected networks, enhancing the severity of the incident and potentially impacting larger organizational infrastructures.

Affected Version(s)

WinRAR prior to 7.11

News Articles

favicon imageHelp Net Security

Week in review: Microsoft patches exploited Windows CLFS 0-day, WinRAR MotW bypass flaw fixed - Help Net Security

Here’s an overview of some of last week’s most interesting news, articles, interviews and videos: Microsoft fixes actively exploited Windows CLFS zero-day

1 week ago

favicon imageInformation Security Newspaper

MotW Bypassed: Zero Warning, Full Control – New WinRAR Flaw Silently Bypasses Windows Security

MotW Bypassed: Zero Warning, Full Control – New WinRAR Flaw Silently Bypasses Windows Security - Vulnerabilities - Information Security Newspaper | Hacking News

2 weeks ago

favicon imageHelp Net Security

WinRAR MotW bypass flaw fixed, update ASAP (CVE-2025-31334) - Help Net Security

A flaw (CVE-2025-31334) allowing attackers to bypass Windows' MotW security warning and execute arbitrary code has been fixed in WinRAR 7.11.

2 weeks ago

References

https://www.win-rar.com/start.html?&L=0
https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN59547048/

CVSS V3.0

Score:
6.8
Severity:
MEDIUM
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
High
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
High
User Interaction:
Required
Scope:
Unchanged

Timeline

  • 💰

    Used in Ransomware

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • 📰

    First article discovered by BleepingComputer

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

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