CVE-2023-38831

CVE Enrichment

CVSS: 7.8 HIGH
EPSS: 99.82%
EPSS Percentile: 99.96%
CISA KEV: YES — Known Exploited Vulnerability

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.

Technical Details

CVSS Version: 3.1
CNA / NVD Source: cve@mitre.org
Published: 24-Aug-2023 00:15
Last Modified: 05-Aug-2026 12:16
EPSS Date: 2026-10-11
CWE: CWE-345, CWE-351

CVSS Vector


            CVSS:3.1                            AV:L /
                            AC:L /
                            PR:N /
                            UI:R /
                            S:U /
                            C:H /
                            I:H /
                            A:H

CISA KEV Details

Date Added: 2023-08-24
Remediation Due: 2023-09-14
Known Ransomware Campaign Use: Known
Required Action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Notes: http://www.win-rar.com/singlenewsview.html?&L=0&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=232&cHash=c5bf79590657e32554c6683296a8e8aa; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-38831

Affected Products / Versions

rarlab / winrar
Version / affected range: * · before (exclusive) 6.23
cpe:2.3:a:rarlab:winrar:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

References

Last enrichment sync: 12-Oct-2026 01:06
Sources: NVD · FIRST EPSS · CISA KEV
Latest successful provider update; providers refresh independently.

Reported Context (2)

Two years ago, DarkMe developed a reputation by leveraging two separate zero days to deliver its malware: WinRAR (CVE-2023-38831) and Windows Defender SmartScreen (CVE-2024-21412). DarkMe RAT Campaign Uses Phishing and PIF Files Instead of Exploits
CVE-2023-38831: a vulnerability in WinRAR that involves improper handling of objects within an archive Kaspersky Reports Rising Vulnerability Disclosures and Early Exploit Releases in Q2 2026

CVE (27)

Malware (1)

People (4)

Threat Actors (2)

MITRE ATT&CK (18)

Vendors (2)

Products (17)

Tools (9)

Industries (4)

Note: Related entities, including threat actors, malware, CVEs, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, vendors, products, tools, countries, and industries, are shown when they appear in the same reporting. Their presence does not necessarily mean they were targeted, compromised, vulnerable, responsible for the activity, or directly involved in the incident.