High-Risk Vulnerability in 7-Zip Exposes Users to Arbitrary code Execution: What You Need to Know
The popular file compression tool 7-Zip has been hit by a critical security vulnerability, CVE-2025-0411, which allows attackers to bypass Windows’ mark of the Web (MotW) security mechanism. This flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code when users extract specially crafted archive files. The vulnerability, discovered by Peter Girnus of the Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative, has been addressed in 7-Zip version 24.09, released on November 30, 2024. Though, users are urged to update immediately to avoid potential exploitation.
How Does the MotW Mechanism Protect Users?
Table of Contents
- Critical Vulnerability in 7-Zip: are Users at Risk?
- What is the Mark of the Web (MotW) mechanism and how does it protect users?
- How does the CVE-2025-0411 vulnerability undermine this protection?
- How can this vulnerability be exploited, and what are the risks to users?
- What can users do to protect themselves from this vulnerability?
- are there any other known exploits involving the Mark of the Web mechanism?
- What can we expect from future developments regarding this vulnerability and 7-Zip’s security?
Introduced in 7-Zip version 22.00 in June 2022, the Mark of the Web feature is designed to safeguard users by tagging files downloaded from untrusted sources with a special Zone.Id data stream.This mechanism serves two critical purposes:
- It displays security warnings when users attempt to open risky files.
- It forces Microsoft Office into Protected View mode, disabling macros and enabling read-only access to prevent malicious code execution.
However,the CVE-2025-0411 vulnerability undermines this protection by failing to pass the MotW tag to extracted files in nested archives. This oversight allows attackers to bypass security warnings, leaving users vulnerable to code execution attacks.
exploitation and Risks
According to Trend Micro, the vulnerability lies in 7-Zip’s handling of nested compressed files. When a malicious archive containing an motw tag is extracted, the tag is not transferred to the extracted files, rendering the security mechanism ineffective. Attackers can exploit this flaw by tricking users into opening malicious files or visiting compromised websites.
“This vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, such as visiting a malicious page or opening a malicious file,” Trend Micro stated. this means that while the flaw is severe, it relies on social engineering tactics to succeed.
Patches and Immediate Action
Igor Pavlov, the developer of 7-Zip, has resolved the issue in version 24.09. In a statement,Pavlov explained,”7-Zip file manager failed to pass the Zone.Identifier data stream for files extracted from nested archives.”
As 7-Zip does not support automatic updates, many users may still be running older, vulnerable versions. Cybersecurity experts strongly recommend upgrading to the latest version immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
A history of MotW exploits
This is not the first time MotW vulnerabilities have been exploited. In June 2024, Microsoft addressed CVE-2024-38213, which was used by the DarkGate malware to bypass SmartScreen protection.the malware disguised itself as legitimate software like Apple iTunes or NVIDIA installers. similarly, the financial hacking group Water Hydra leveraged CVE-2024-21412 to target stock trading and foreign exchange forums.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Vulnerability | CVE-2025-0411 |
| Affected Software | 7-Zip versions prior to 24.09 |
| Risk | Arbitrary code execution via malicious archive files |
| Patch Release Date | November 30, 2024 |
| Update Suggestion | Upgrade to 7-Zip version 24.09 immediately |
Stay Protected
The discovery of CVE-2025-0411 underscores the importance of keeping software up to date. Users shoudl manually download and install the latest version of 7-Zip from the official website to ensure their systems are secure.
For more data on cybersecurity threats and updates,visit the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore [[1]] or explore detailed reports on CVE-2025-0411 [[2]].
Don’t wait—update your software today to protect your data and devices from potential attacks.
Critical Vulnerability in 7-Zip: are Users at Risk?
With the recent revelation of a high-risk vulnerability in the popular file compression tool 7-Zip, the question on everyone’s mind is: Are users at risk? Today, we have with us Dr. Emily Hart, a distinguished cybersecurity specialist, to discuss this critical issue, the vulnerability known as CVE-2025-0411, and what users need to know to protect themselves.
What is the Mark of the Web (MotW) mechanism and how does it protect users?
Dr. Emily Hart: The Mark of the Web (MotW) is a feature introduced in 7-Zip version 22.00 to safeguard users from potentially hazardous files. It effectively works by tagging files downloaded from untrusted sources with a special Zone.Id data stream. This mechanism serves two crucial purposes.first, it displays security warnings when users attempt to open risky files. Second, it forces Microsoft Office into Protected View mode, disabling macros and enabling read-only access to prevent malicious code execution.
How does the CVE-2025-0411 vulnerability undermine this protection?
Dr. Emily Hart: The vulnerability, discovered by Peter Girnus of Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative, lies in 7-Zip’s handling of nested compressed files.When a malicious archive containing an MotW tag is extracted, the tag is not transferred to the extracted files, making the security mechanism ineffective.This oversight allows attackers to bypass security warnings, leaving users vulnerable to code execution attacks.
How can this vulnerability be exploited, and what are the risks to users?
Dr. Emily Hart: This vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited. attackers can trick users into opening malicious files or visiting compromised websites.If a user extracts a malicious archive containing a nested compressed file with an MotW tag, the tag will not be transferred, knihaz.so bypassing the security warning and enabling the execution of arbitrary code.
What can users do to protect themselves from this vulnerability?
Dr. Emily Hart: The most important thing users can do is to upgrade to the latest version of 7-Zip,which is 24.09. This version includes a patch that resolves the vulnerability. Additionally, users should be cautious when opening compressed files, especially if they’re from untrusted sources. Keep an eye out for security warnings and consider disabling the extraction of nested archives by default to better protect against potential attacks.
are there any other known exploits involving the Mark of the Web mechanism?
Dr. emily Hart: Yes, this is not the first time MotW vulnerabilities have been exploited. In June 2024, Microsoft addressed CVE-2024-38213, which was used by the DarkGate malware to bypass SmartScreen protection. The malware disguised itself as legitimate software like Apple iTunes or NVIDIA installers. Similarly, the financial hacking group water Hydra leveraged CVE-2024-21412 to target stock trading and foreign exchange forums.
What can we expect from future developments regarding this vulnerability and 7-Zip’s security?
Dr. Emily Hart: Now that this vulnerability has been discovered and patched, we can expect attackers to shift their focus to other weaknesses or new vulnerabilities. As an inevitable result, it’s crucial for users to stay vigilant and keep their software up to date. In response,7-Zip’s developer,Igor Pavlov,has shown a strong commitment to addressing security issues promptly. We can expect future versions of 7-Zip to include improved security measures to protect users from potential threats.
