Archive or Trojan horse? The critical 7-ZIP vulnerability threatens millions of devices
Vulnerabilities can be exploited without user knowledge.
In the 7-Zip file compression tool vulnerability found allowing attackers to execute malicious code remotely via specially crafted archives. To fix the problem, the developers have published an update that must be installed manually, since the program does not support the installation of automatic updates.
The vulnerability, reported as CVE-2024-11477 with a CVSS Severity Score of 7.8, is due to insufficient input validation when processing compressed files using the Zstandard algorithm. This can lead to memory overload and malicious code injection. Zstandard is widely used in systems such as Btrfs, SquashFS and OpenZFS, as well as for HTTP compression, due to its speed and compression efficiency.
Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted archives to 7-Zip users, for example, via email or network shares. Opening such a file may contain malicious code.
The issue was identified by researchers at Trend Micro’s Zero-Day Initiative in June 2024 and is based on 7-Zip version 24.07. At the moment, an updated version 24.08 is available, which can be downloaded from the official website of the program. Users are advised to install the latest version or, if 7-Zip is not needed, to uninstall the program, since modern versions of Windows File Explorer support to 7-Zip files by default.
2024-11-23 08:21:00
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**How can users, specifically those who rely on 7-Zip for sensitive data like financial documents or confidential information, verify that they have successfully mitigated the vulnerability through the provided patches?**
## Interview: 7-Zip Vulnerability - A Ticking Time Bomb?
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing a critical vulnerability discovered in the popular 7-Zip file compression tool, potentially affecting millions of devices. To delve deeper into this issue, we have two esteemed guests:
* **Dr. Emily Carter:** Cybersecurity expert and researcher at the Center for Digital Security.
* **Mark Lawson:** Senior software developer and open-source advocate.
**Section 1: Understanding the Threat**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, can you explain in simple terms what this vulnerability is and why it’s so concerning?
**Dr. Carter:**
**Interviewer:** Mark, 7-Zip is a widely-used tool. How widespread is this vulnerability, and what kind of impact could it have?
**Mark Lawson:**
**Section 2: Exploiting the Vulnerability**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, what are some real-world examples of how attackers could exploit this vulnerability? Would a user even know they’re being targeted?
**Dr. Carter:**
**Interviewer:** Mark, considering the wide use of Zstandard, could this vulnerability extend beyond just 7-Zip users?
**Mark Lawson:**
**Section 3: Mitigation and Prevention**
**Interviewer:** What steps can 7-Zip users take to protect themselves from this vulnerability?
**Mark Lawson:**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, is there anything broader the cybersecurity community can do to prevent vulnerabilities like this from occurring in the future?
**Dr. Carter:**
**Section 4: The Future of 7-Zip**
**Interviewer:** Mark, given the critical nature of this vulnerability, what does this mean for the future of 7-Zip as a trusted open-source tool?
**Mark Lawson:**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, how can users balance the convenience of open-source tools with the need for robust security?
**Dr. Carter:**
**Conclusion:**
This vulnerability highlights the ever-present threat of cyberattacks and the critical importance of staying informed about software security. We thank Dr. Carter and Mark Lawson for their insights and encourage all users to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
**Call to Action:** Visit the official 7-Zip website to download the latest, patched version of the program.
