CVE-2017-13083 in Rufus
Summary
by MITRE
Akeo Consulting Rufus prior to version 2.17.1187 does not adequately validate the integrity of updates downloaded over HTTP, allowing an attacker to easily convince a user to execute arbitrary code
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13083 affects Akeo Consulting Rufus software versions prior to 2.17.1187, representing a critical security flaw in the update mechanism that undermines the integrity of the software distribution process. This issue stems from insufficient validation of update files downloaded over unencrypted HTTP connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the software's automatic update functionality, which is designed to streamline the process of keeping Rufus current with the latest features and security patches. However, the absence of proper integrity checks means that malicious actors can manipulate the update process without detection, potentially delivering malicious payloads disguised as legitimate software updates.
The technical flaw manifests in the software's failure to implement cryptographic verification or checksum validation of downloaded update files before installation. When Rufus attempts to download updates over HTTP, it does not verify that the downloaded content matches the expected cryptographic hash or digital signature of the legitimate update. This weakness aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper certificate validation and weak cryptographic integrity checks, making the system susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks and supply chain compromises. The vulnerability creates a dangerous condition where an attacker positioned on the network path between the user and the update server can intercept the update traffic, replace the legitimate update file with a malicious one, and have the user's system automatically execute the attacker's code without any user intervention or warning.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that users place in the software update process. Attackers can leverage this weakness to deliver malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that persist on infected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond the normal software update process, making it difficult to detect and prevent. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege and software integrity assurance, as it allows attackers to bypass the normal security controls that should protect against unauthorized code execution. This weakness can be exploited in various attack scenarios including network-based attacks, compromised update servers, or even insider threats where malicious actors within an organization can manipulate the update process.
Organizations and individual users should immediately update to Rufus version 2.17.1187 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix likely implements proper cryptographic verification of update files. Security measures should include monitoring for suspicious update activity and implementing network-level controls to prevent unauthorized access to update servers. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure update mechanisms and proper certificate validation, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under software supply chain attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The incident highlights the necessity of following security best practices such as using HTTPS for all update communications, implementing proper code signing, and maintaining robust integrity verification mechanisms to protect against supply chain attacks and maintain system security.