CVE-2014-2319 in PowerArchiver
Summary
by MITRE
The Encrypt Files feature in ConeXware PowerArchiver before 14.02.05 uses legacy ZIP encryption even if the AES 256-bit selection is chosen, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via a known-plaintext attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2319 resides within ConeXware PowerArchiver software version 14.02.05 and earlier, where the Encrypt Files functionality exhibits a critical cryptographic flaw that undermines the security assurances typically expected from modern encryption implementations. This issue manifests when users select the AES 256-bit encryption option, yet the software continues to employ legacy ZIP encryption methods instead of properly implementing the selected stronger encryption standard. The flaw represents a significant deviation from expected security behavior and creates a dangerous misalignment between user intent and actual cryptographic protection.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from improper implementation of encryption selection logic within the archive creation process. When AES 256-bit encryption is chosen by the user, the software fails to initialize the appropriate cryptographic algorithms and instead defaults to the older, weaker legacy ZIP encryption scheme. This misimplementation creates a scenario where the cryptographic strength of the archive does not match the user's explicit selection, effectively reducing the security posture to that of legacy encryption methods. The vulnerability specifically enables known-plaintext attacks, where an attacker with access to both plaintext and corresponding ciphertext can potentially reverse-engineer the encryption keys or algorithm parameters used.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness to encompass significant data confidentiality risks for users who believe they are protecting sensitive information with strong AES encryption. Attackers with context-dependent access to partially encrypted archives can exploit this weakness to recover sensitive data that was intended to be protected through robust encryption methods. This flaw particularly affects environments where users handle confidential information, intellectual property, or personally identifiable data within compressed archives, as the reduced encryption strength makes these files more vulnerable to unauthorized access. The vulnerability also undermines trust in the software's security claims and can lead to compliance violations in regulated environments where specific encryption standards are mandated.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in software implementations, specifically focusing on improper implementation of cryptographic protocols. The flaw demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices and represents a failure in cryptographic implementation integrity. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and data extraction, as attackers can leverage the weakened encryption to gain unauthorized access to protected information. Organizations utilizing PowerArchiver for data protection may find their security postures significantly compromised, particularly in scenarios involving sensitive data handling, as the software fails to deliver the cryptographic assurances that users expect and require for effective information protection.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to ConeXware PowerArchiver version 14.02.05 or later, which addresses this specific encryption implementation flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as verifying encryption strength through independent tools, establishing clear security policies around file encryption practices, and conducting regular security assessments of compression and archiving tools. System administrators should ensure that all users are educated about the importance of verifying encryption implementation and that they understand the potential risks associated with using software that fails to properly implement selected cryptographic standards. Additionally, organizations may need to reassess any previously encrypted files that were created using vulnerable versions of the software to determine if re-encryption with proper cryptographic methods is necessary.