Cybersecurity Alert: WinZip High-Risk Exploit Uncovered
Recently, a high-risk security flaw (CVE-2025-1240) was discovered in WinZip, a widely used compression program, drawing attention in the cybersecurity field. Because of this issue, attackers can use harmful 7Z files to run malicious code on WinZip 28.0 and older versions. Therefore, Sinokap advises you to upgrade to WinZip 29.0 quickly to protect your company’s security.
Overview of the Vulnerability and Its Impact
According to the security research group Zero Day Initiative (ZDI), WinZip has a huge global user base, which means this flaw is easy for hackers to exploit. Moreover, it poses major risks in business settings and software distribution platforms, potentially leading to malware distribution, data theft, and ransomware attacks.
Root Cause and Exploitation Methods
Fundamentally, this flaw stems from inadequate security checks when handling 7Z files in WinZip, thereby allowing hackers to craft 7Z files that write beyond normal memory limits. Consequently, they can run any code within the WinZip process.
Exploitation Scenarios:
Tricking users into opening malicious 7Z files, triggering the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.
Spreading infected files via phishing emails or malicious websites, encouraging victims to download and extract them.
Combining with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges, potentially compromising the entire system.
Once an attacker has successfully exploited the flaw, they can gain the same permissions as the logged-in user. As a result, the following consequences may occur:
Installing malware or ransomware, disrupting enterprise IT operations.
Stealing confidential data, including corporate files and user credentials.
Lateral movement within enterprise networks, expanding the attack scope.
Recommended Actions for Enterprises and Users
1. Update WinZip immediately
Upgrade to WinZip 29.0 via the official website or built-in update function to avoid using vulnerable versions.
2. Exercise caution with unknown files
Avoid opening 7Z files from untrusted sources, especially those received via email attachments or download links.
3. Enable automatic updates
Ensure WinZip and other critical applications receive security patches promptly to minimize the risk of exploitation.
4. Enhance employee cybersecurity awareness
Conduct regular training sessions on detecting phishing attacks to reduce the likelihood of malicious file downloads.
To begin with, the discovery of this WinZip flaw arrives at a time when company IT risks are growing worldwide. In addition, a Windows OLE zero-click flaw (CVE-2025-21298) was recently revealed, letting attackers run code through dangerous email attachments. As a result, these events highlight the growing dangers of file parsing flaws and emphasize the need for stronger security measures in businesses.
Establish a structured security patch management process, conduct regular security assessments, and update key software to minimize exposure.
Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to monitor suspicious file activity and detect abnormal system behavior in real-time.
Implement application whitelisting to restrict unauthorized software execution, reducing the attack surface.
Strengthen data backup and recovery capabilities to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks on business continuity.
Meanwhile, while discussing the WinZip flaw, it is worth mentioning a safer, free alternative: 7-Zip. Because it is open source, 7-Zip not only supports many compression formats but also offers strong AES-256 protection, which helps secure sensitive information. Moreover, Sinokap has released a guide on using 7-Zip, explaining step by step how to install, use, and encrypt files.
About Sinokap’s IT Services
As a professional IT solutions provider, sinokap offers comprehensive cybersecurity services to help enterprises reduce security risks, improve IT operational stability, and prevent cyber threats from disrupting business operations. Furthermore, if your organization seeks to learn more about AI technology or explore our other IT services, we welcome you to reach out to our dedicated service team at any time.
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