Ethical Hacking News
A severe remote code execution (RCE) flaw in 7-Zip software, tracked as CVE-2025-11001, has been actively exploited in attacks in the wild, prompting immediate attention from cybersecurity experts and users alike. This article delves into the details of the vulnerability, its impact on affected installations, and the necessary actions to be taken to mitigate the risk.
The NHS England has issued an alert warning of the active exploitation of a remote code execution (RCE) flaw in the 7-Zip software. The RCE flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations. The vulnerability is attributed to an issue with the handling of symbolic links in ZIP files. The impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it can only be exploited from elevated user/service accounts or machines with developer mode enabled. The vulnerability is limited to Windows operating systems. A patch has been released for version 25.00 in July 2025, addressing the RCE flaw. Users are strongly advised to upgrade their 7-Zip software to version 25.00 or later immediately.
In a recent announcement that sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community, NHS England has issued an alert warning of the active exploitation of a remote code execution (RCE) flaw in the 7-Zip software. Tracked as CVE-2025-11001, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to users worldwide, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations.
The RCE flaw is attributed to an issue with the handling of symbolic links in ZIP files. Crafted data in a ZIP file can cause the process to traverse to unintended directories, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability was identified by researchers Ryota Shiga (GMO Flatt Security Inc.) and takumi-san.ai, who reported it to the relevant authorities.
The impact of this vulnerability cannot be overstated. As explained by security researcher Dominik (aka pacbypass), who released a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit for CVE-2025-11001, "This vulnerability can only be exploited from the context of an elevated user/service account or a machine with developer mode enabled." Furthermore, this vulnerability is limited to Windows operating systems.
The 7-Zip software has taken steps to address this vulnerability with the release of version 25.00 in July 2025, which addressed the RCE flaw. However, given the availability of proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits for CVE-2025-11001, it is essential that users upgrade their versions of 7-Zip as soon as possible.
The fact that attackers are actively exploiting this vulnerability in real-world attacks underscores the severity of the situation. NHS England's alert emphasizes the need for swift action to protect affected installations and prevent potential exploitation. Users are strongly advised to review their 7-Zip software and update to version 25.00 or later immediately.
In addition, the release of a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit by security researcher Dominik highlights the ease with which attackers can leverage this vulnerability. The PoC allows attackers to abuse symbolic-link handling to write files outside of the intended extraction folder, ultimately enabling arbitrary code execution in some scenarios.
As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for users to remain vigilant and proactive when it comes to software updates and security patches. In this instance, the prompt attention to the 7-Zip RCE flaw vulnerability serves as a reminder that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.
The consequences of neglecting security measures can be severe. As observed in recent attacks, compromised systems can be easily hijacked by malicious actors, leading to widespread disruption and potential data breaches. Therefore, it is crucial for users to take swift action to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.
In conclusion, the 7-Zip RCE flaw vulnerability (CVE-2025-11001) presents a significant threat to users worldwide. The active exploitation of this vulnerability highlights the need for prompt attention and swift action from affected installations. By prioritizing software updates and security patches, users can minimize their risk exposure and protect themselves against potential threats.
In light of this critical information, we recommend that users review their 7-Zip software immediately and upgrade to version 25.00 or later as soon as possible. Furthermore, users are encouraged to remain vigilant and proactive in their approach to cybersecurity, as the threat landscape continues to evolve and new vulnerabilities emerge.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/A-Global-Threat-Lurks-in-Plain-Sight-The-7-Zip-RCE-Flaw-Vulnerability-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/184850/security/7-zip-rce-flaw-cve-2025-11001-actively-exploited-in-attacks-in-the-wild.html
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-11001
https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2025-11001/
Published: Wed Nov 19 13:42:20 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
