CVE-2024-33899 in WinRAR
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2024
RARLAB WinRAR before 7.00, on Linux and UNIX platforms, allows attackers to spoof the screen output, or cause a denial of service, via ANSI escape sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-33899 represents a significant security flaw in RARLAB WinRAR versions prior to 7.00 on Linux and UNIX operating systems. This issue stems from the application's inadequate handling of ANSI escape sequences during screen output rendering, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise system integrity and user experience. The vulnerability specifically affects Unix-like environments where WinRAR is installed, making it particularly concerning for server environments and systems where command-line interfaces are frequently used.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper sanitization and interpretation of ANSI escape sequences within WinRAR's display mechanisms. When processing compressed archives containing maliciously crafted escape sequences, the application fails to properly filter or neutralize these control characters before rendering output to the terminal. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the visual presentation of the application's interface, potentially obscuring critical information or creating misleading displays. The vulnerability can be exploited through specially crafted archive files that contain embedded ANSI escape codes designed to manipulate terminal output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception to include potential denial of service conditions. Attackers can craft archive files that, when processed by vulnerable WinRAR versions, cause the application to misbehave or crash entirely. This denial of service capability can be particularly damaging in environments where automated processes rely on WinRAR for archive management or where system availability is critical. Additionally, the screen spoofing capability can be leveraged to create deceptive interfaces that might trick users into making incorrect decisions or reveal sensitive information through manipulated display output.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-116, which addresses the improper handling of escape sequences and control characters, and represents a variant of the broader class of terminal manipulation attacks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1496 for resource hijacking, as it can be used to disrupt normal system operations and potentially redirect system resources. The attack surface is particularly wide given that WinRAR is commonly installed on Unix systems and used for various archive operations, making it a potentially attractive target for adversaries seeking to disrupt operations or gather information through visual deception.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to WinRAR version 7.00 or later to address this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the underlying issue. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious archive files and consider restricting access to archive processing capabilities where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in terminal-based applications, particularly in Unix environments where such applications are commonly used for system administration tasks. Regular security assessments should include verification of application behavior when processing untrusted archive content to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other software components.