CVE-2005-0331 in WinRAR
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in WinRAR 3.42 and earlier, when the user clicks on the ZIP file to extract it, allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files via a ... (triple dot) in the filename of the ZIP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0331 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within WinRAR version 3.42 and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically manifests when users interact with ZIP archives by clicking to extract their contents, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the archive extraction process, allowing adversaries to manipulate file paths through specially crafted filenames containing triple dot sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way WinRAR processes archive filenames during extraction operations. When a ZIP file contains a filename with triple dot sequences such as ../../ or .../..., the software fails to properly sanitize these path components before creating files on the target system. This inadequate validation allows attackers to traverse the directory structure and potentially overwrite critical system files or create malicious files in unintended locations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the file extraction functionality of WinRAR's archive handling mechanism.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to end-user systems and enterprise environments where WinRAR is commonly deployed. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary file creation operations, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, system compromise, or data exfiltration. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails containing malicious ZIP attachments. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially affect entire network infrastructures if compromised systems are not properly isolated.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This classification reflects the core issue where the software fails to properly restrict file system access based on user-supplied input. Additionally, the attack pattern corresponds to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through file creation in system directories. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to WinRAR versions 3.50 or later, implementing strict file validation policies, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file extraction activities.