A critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0411 has been detected in 7-Zip, a widely used file archiver. With a CVSS score of 7.0, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass the Windows “Mark-of-the-Web” (MotW) security feature. If exploited, it could lead to the execution of malicious code on a victim’s system.
Understanding the Vulnerability CVE-2025-0411
What is the Mark-of-the-Web (MotW)?
MotW is a built-in Windows security mechanism that flags files downloaded from the internet. When such files are accessed, Windows issues warnings or applies restrictions to prevent potentially harmful actions.
How Does CVE-2025-0411 Exploit This?
According to the advisory, “This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass the Mark-of-the-Web protection mechanism on affected installations of 7-Zip. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.”
In versions of 7-Zip before 24.09, files extracted from an archive marked with the MotW did not retain this security marker. As a result, any dangerous code within the extracted files could execute without triggering warnings, allowing attackers to bypass Windows’ protective measures.
This oversight poses a significant risk, especially since 7-Zip is widely used for opening archives downloaded from the internet, making it an attractive target for attackers.
CVSS Score and Impact
The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.0, indicating its high severity. This score reflects the ease of exploitation and the potential damage, particularly if users unknowingly extract malicious files from compromised archives.
Recommendations and Mitigation
According to the advisory notes, to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-0411, follow these best practices:
- Update 7-Zip Immediately
The developers have released a fix in version 24.09 to address this issue. By updating to this or a later version, the MotW security flag will be properly propagated to all extracted files, maintaining your system’s safety. - Avoid Untrusted Archives
Always be cautious when handling compressed files from untrusted sources, even after updating. Malicious actors often disguise harmful content in seemingly innocent archives. - Enable Security Warnings
If you frequently handle downloaded files, ensure that your operating system and antivirus software are configured to warn you about potentially unsafe actions.
Instantly Fix Risks with SanerNow Patch Management
CVE-2025-0411 underscores the importance of maintaining a proactive approach to cybersecurity, particularly for organizations using network gateway products. Organizations must prioritize patch management, not just as a reactive measure but as a fundamental component of their cybersecurity strategy.
SanerNow Patch Management is a continuous, automated, and integrated software that instantly fixes risks exploited in the wild. The software supports major operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as 550+ third-party applications.
It also allows you to set up a safe testing area to test patches before deploying them in a primary production environment. SanerNow patch management additionally supports a patch rollback feature in case of patch failure or a system malfunction.
