CVE-2023-38831
HIGHCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctlDescription
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.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.
RARLAB WinRAR Code Execution Vulnerability
RARLAB WinRAR contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute code when a user attempts to view a benign file within a ZIP archive.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Remediation due: 2023-09-14
Associated with ransomware campaigns
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-345 vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2016-4553 | High | 8.6 | 80% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2016-4554 | High | 8.6 | 39% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2023-35719 | Medium | 6.8 | 26% | - | - |
| CVE-2022-26871 | Critical | 9.8 | 20% | KEV | - |
| CVE-2014-4936 | High | 9.3 | 17% | - | - |
| CVE-2025-51471 | Medium | 6.9 | 13% | - | - |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2023-38831?
Upgrade WinRAR to 6.23 or later.
Is CVE-2023-38831 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2023-38831 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which means exploitation has been observed in the wild. CISA has also linked it to known ransomware campaigns. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 2023-09-14. Treat it as a priority whatever its CVSS score says.
How severe is CVE-2023-38831?
CVE-2023-38831 has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.8, rated high. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2023-38831 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for WinRAR (Windows application). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
Embed a live status badge for CVE-2023-38831
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-08-05.