CVE-2023-39137 in Archive
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
An issue in Archive v3.3.7 allows attackers to spoof zip filenames which can lead to inconsistent filename parsing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39137 resides within the Archive library version 3.3.7 and represents a significant security flaw that enables attackers to manipulate zip file metadata through filename spoofing techniques. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms during the parsing of archive filenames, creating opportunities for malicious actors to craft deceptive file names that appear legitimate but actually contain hidden or misleading content. The vulnerability specifically affects systems that rely on the Archive library for processing compressed files, potentially impacting a wide range of applications including file management systems, backup solutions, and content delivery platforms that utilize zip archives for data handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of filename parsing logic within the Archive library's internal processing functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting zip files containing specially formatted filenames that bypass normal validation checks, allowing them to present misleading file names during archive extraction or listing operations. This spoofing capability operates at the archive metadata level where the library fails to properly sanitize or validate the filename strings before processing them, creating a path for attackers to inject malicious or deceptive naming patterns that can confuse both automated systems and human operators. The flaw essentially allows for inconsistent interpretation of archive filenames, where the displayed name may differ from the actual file name stored within the archive structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-39137 extends beyond simple deception to potentially enable more serious security consequences including social engineering attacks, privilege escalation scenarios, and data corruption events. When systems process these manipulated zip files, they may inadvertently execute or display incorrect file information, leading to unauthorized access attempts or malicious file overwrites. The inconsistency in filename parsing can disrupt automated workflows that depend on predictable file naming conventions, potentially causing system failures or data integrity issues. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where automated processing of zip archives occurs without additional validation layers, making it a significant concern for enterprise backup systems, content distribution networks, and any infrastructure relying on automated archive handling.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Archive library, implementing additional validation layers before processing zip files, and deploying automated scanning systems that can detect malformed or suspicious filename patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, where insufficient validation of input data leads to unexpected behavior, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for potential exploitation through malicious file execution paths. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level controls that can detect and block suspicious archive content, while developers should ensure that all file processing functions include proper sanitization of metadata before any file operations occur. Regular security audits of archive handling components and comprehensive testing of input validation mechanisms will help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability across affected systems.