RAR files themselves are not inherently dangerous, but like any compressed format, they can disguise malware. In this case, the vulnerability allows the extraction process to trigger malicious activity.
Unlike ZIP, the RAR format is proprietary, although the extraction code is open-source.
As of January 2026, cybersecurity experts, including Google Threat Intelligence , are reporting active, widespread exploitation of a six-month-old vulnerability in WinRAR. Gztgbzukbzbuzbgu rar
Nation-state groups and financially motivated cybercriminals are actively using this defect, primarily targeting military, government, and technology sectors for espionage.
A path-traversal vulnerability allows attackers to create specially crafted archive files that, when opened, can execute malicious code on the victim's computer. RAR files themselves are not inherently dangerous, but
Users must immediately update to the latest version of WinRAR (7.13 or newer) to patch the vulnerability. What is RAR and Why is it Used?
To ensure your computer is protected, could you confirm if you have recently updated your software, or if you have any suspicious .rar files you'd like to safely scan? High-severity WinRAR 0-day exploited for weeks by 2 groups As of January 2026, cybersecurity experts, including Google
The attacks are bypassing security by targeting users who still rely on outdated versions of the software. Key Details & Background