CVE-2018-20250
Published: February 15, 2022
Official Description
WinRAR Absolute Path Traversal vulnerability leads to Remote Code Execution
CISA KEV Advisory
WinRAR Absolute Path Traversal Vulnerability
WinRAR Absolute Path Traversal vulnerability leads to Remote Code Execution
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
WinRAR contains an absolute path traversal vulnerability that leads to remote code execution. This flaw allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a compromised system, posing a severe security risk. With an EPSS score of 0.93462 and its inclusion in CISA's KEV, this vulnerability is highly likely to be exploited.
This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild. The nature of path traversal vulnerabilities often allows for remote exploitation, especially when processing untrusted archives.
Administrators should ensure WinRAR is updated to the latest secure version to address this absolute path traversal vulnerability. Users should also exercise caution when opening archives from untrusted sources.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2018-20250 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2018-20250 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (1)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2018-20250 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1