WinRAR 0‑Day Exploit Listed for $80K on Dark Web Forum

A sophisticated zero-day exploit targeting WinRAR, one of the world’s most popular file compression utilities, has surfaced on a dark web marketplace with a hefty price tag of $80,000.

The previously unknown remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability affects both the latest and earlier versions of the widely-used software, raising significant concerns for millions of users worldwide.

The exploit is being marketed by a threat actor operating under the pseudonym “zeroplayer” on an underground cybercrime forum.

According to the listing, this zero-day vulnerability is entirely separate from the recently disclosed CVE-2025-6218, suggesting that WinRAR may be facing multiple serious security flaws simultaneously.

The distinction is particularly concerning as it indicates that even users who have patched their systems against known vulnerabilities may still be at risk.

Remote Code Execution Capabilities

The advertised exploit reportedly enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems through specially crafted archive files.

This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because WinRAR is installed on hundreds of millions of computers globally, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking widespread impact.

The remote code execution capability means that simply opening a malicious archive file could potentially compromise an entire system.

The $80,000 asking price reflects the high value that cybercriminals place on zero-day exploits, particularly those targeting widely-deployed software.

This pricing also suggests that the exploit may be exclusive or limited in availability, as mass-distributed exploits typically command lower prices in underground markets.

The emergence of this exploit highlights the ongoing challenges faced by software developers in maintaining secure applications.

WinRAR’s long history and extensive feature set make it a complex target for security researchers and malicious actors alike.

The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software suggests it may be a fundamental flaw in the application’s architecture rather than a recent coding error.

Cybersecurity experts emphasize that zero-day exploits represent one of the most serious threats in the digital landscape because they target unknown vulnerabilities for which no patches or defensive measures exist.

Organizations and individual users who rely on WinRAR for file compression and extraction should remain vigilant and consider implementing additional security measures such as sandboxing or alternative compression tools until more information becomes available.

The cybersecurity community is closely monitoring this development, as the availability of such exploits on dark web marketplaces often precedes their use in targeted attacks or broader cybercriminal campaigns.

Security researchers are working to identify and understand the vulnerability to develop appropriate countermeasures and inform WinRAR’s developers about the potential threat to their user base.

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