Actively exploited

CVE-2025-6218 RARLAB WinRAR Path Traversal Vulnerability

RARLAB WinRAR contains a path traversal vulnerability allowing an attacker to execute code in the context of the current user.

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch urgentlyCybergen assessment

CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 9 Dec 2025.
Rated High severity (CVSS 7.8, scored by Vendor).
It has been in the catalogue for 332 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.

The Vulnerability

What It Is

RARLAB WinRAR Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of RARLAB WinRAR. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of file paths within archive files. A crafted file path can cause the process to traverse to unintended directories. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-27198.

Affected Versions

Product	Versions
RARLAB WinRAR	7.11 (64-bit)

From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for RARLAB WinRAR. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management
2
Fix it
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Vulnerability Management
3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response
4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsRated high, so if it affects devices in your Cyber Essentials scope, the update must be installed within 14 days of the vendor releasing it.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 30 Dec 2025 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

Stay Ahead

More Exploited RARLAB Flaws

All 5 exploited RARLAB vulnerabilities

Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2025-6218 and every other exploited flaw on the list.

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Evidence

PREVENTION

DETECTION & MITIGATION

GRC

INCIDENT RESPONSE

CLOUD SECURITY

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

REGULATED SERVICES

PUBLIC SERVICES

COMMERCIAL

THREAT INTELLIGENCE

MANAGED SECURITY

NETWORK & CLOUD

RISK & COMPLIANCE

DATA & APPLICATIONS

PEOPLE & EMAIL

FOR VENDORS

CVE-2025-6218 RARLAB WinRAR Path Traversal Vulnerability

Should You Worry?

What It Is

Affected Versions

What To Do Now

Find it

Fix it

Hunt for compromise

Prove it is fixed

Vendor Advisories

The Compliance Clock

More Exploited RARLAB Flaws

Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

Sources