CVE-2025-6218 RARLAB WinRAR Path Traversal
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious archives that exploit directory traversal flaws in WinRAR.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 9 Dec 2025
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-6218?
CVE-2025-6218 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in RARLAB WinRAR, published on 21 Jun 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
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.
Weakness: CWE-22
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-6218?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Rarlab Winrar.
How do I fix CVE-2025-6218?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-6218 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 30 Dec 2025.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2025-6218 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2025-6218 in the wild since at least 9 Dec 2025.
Public exploit code: 6 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in RARLAB WinRAR
Sources
Also known as GHSA-8x66-x5gf-2pc8.