CVE-2025-50329 in Power Archiver
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
An issue in ConeXware, Inc Power Archiver v.22.00.11 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code via the powerarc.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within ConeXware Inc's Power Archiver software version 22.00.11 and earlier releases. The issue specifically manifests through the powerarc.exe component which serves as the primary executable for handling archive operations and file management functions. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative rights, subsequently gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper privilege handling mechanisms within the software's core processing routines. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious archive files or manipulating the software's interface to trigger unintended execution paths that bypass normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in common weakness enumeration standards such as CWE-787 for out-of-bounds writes and CWE-20 for input validation failures. The flaw essentially allows attackers to manipulate the powerarc.exe process through remote means, potentially using techniques consistent with those described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. This vulnerability impacts systems where Power Archiver is installed and running with elevated privileges, particularly when the software is configured to automatically process or extract archive files from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass complete system compromise scenarios. Once attackers achieve privilege escalation through this flaw, they can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive data repositories, and establish footholds for further lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur without physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where archive processing is common. Organizations using Power Archiver in automated workflows or file sharing scenarios face heightened risk as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate software usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected versions to address the privilege escalation mechanisms within powerarc.exe. System administrators should implement network segmentation controls to limit access to systems running Power Archiver and establish strict input validation policies for archive processing. Additional protective measures include deploying application whitelisting solutions, configuring mandatory access controls through operating system security features, and implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other software components, while incident response procedures must be updated to address potential exploitation of this class of vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education regarding safe file handling practices and the importance of keeping software components updated with the latest security patches.