# CVE-2025-8088: RARLAB WinRAR path traversal

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-8088-rarlab-winrar-path-traversal  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2025-08-12. Updated: 2026-05-15  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-8088 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-08-12

A vulnerability in the popular file compression utility WinRAR allows attackers to take control of a computer when a user opens a specially crafted archive file. This flaw has been actively exploited by attackers to run malicious software on target systems. Organizations should ensure WinRAR is updated to version 7.13 or later to prevent unauthorized access and data theft.

Technologies: [RARLAB WinRAR](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/winrar). Vendors: [RARLAB](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/rarlab).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-8088 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2025-8088 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 12 August 2025. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2025-8088?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 12 August 2025.

**Which products and versions are affected?** RARLAB WinRAR versions up to (excluding) 7.13.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-8088?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2025-8088 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-8088?** Check whether you run RARLAB WinRAR at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-35) exists in the Windows version of WinRAR. The flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious archive that, when opened or extracted by a user, can write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem, leading to remote code execution. The attack requires user interaction (opening the file) but no special privileges. This vulnerability was discovered being used as a zero-day in the wild. A fix is available in WinRAR version 7.13.

## Affected products

- RARLAB WinRAR versions up to (excluding) 7.13

## Timeline

- 2025-08-12: disclosed
- 2025-08-12: kev added: Added to CISA KEV catalog
- 2025-08-12: advisory

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- [RARLAB WinRAR Code Execution Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-38831-rarlab-winrar-code-execution-vulnerability)