Patch plugs WinZip flaw

by Guest Contributor | Sep 07, 2004 1:50:00 PM

Tags: Guest Contributor

Takeaway: The popular Windows file compression tool has a critical security flaw that could open a door for a remote attacker.

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By Ingrid Marson
ZDNet (UK)

WinZip Computing has released a patch WinZip 9.0 Service Release 1, which it claims will resolve a buffer overflow issue.

WinZip warned last month of a security flaw in WinZip, its compression/decompression tool that runs on the Windows platform. Security firm Secunia has just rated the flaw as "highly critical", the fourth highest out of its five severity levels.

WinZip versions 3.x, 6.x, 7.x, 8.x and 9.x contain vulnerabilities that could allow a remote attacker to execute malicious code. The problem is caused by a flaw in the way WinZip handles command-line inputs, and can be exploited by a malicious hacker to cause a buffer overflow.

The patch contains other changes including the addition of warning messages in some situations. For example, if a user double-clicks on an .EXE file compressed within a Zip file, WinZip will warn that the compressed file could potentially contain a virus.

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The company recommends on its Web site that all users upgrade to version 9.0 to get the fix. Users are able to download an evaluation version of the patch, but after 21 days will need to pay the $29 license fee for WinZip.

The company said it was not aware of the vulnerability having been exploited in the wild when it released the patch.

This news comes only a couple of weeks after warnings that a flaw in Winamp, a media application run on Windows, has been exploited by to infect people's computers with spyware. When Secunia released the initial advisory no patch was available and it advised that users switch to another product.

The flaw has now been patched and the latest Secunia advisory, updated on Monday, advises users upgrade to Winamp 5.05.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Patch plugs WinZip flawNewsletter Editor  | 09/07/04

Why bother?La2rwhy  | 09/07/04

I totally agree with Leo9. I use Win XP Pro and...patrickjf1  | 09/08/04

Fees? - duh!putershop@...  | 09/07/04

No use for itDavid_from_Q  | 09/07/04

donegreg2002  | 09/07/04

Nothing to do with PKZIP?bbush@...  | 09/07/04

*Known*TechDen  | 09/07/04

Sounds Like a Ruseeelder1@...  | 09/07/04

New type of wormtundraroamer  | 09/07/04

Well, what if you own an earlier versiondocbob  | 09/07/04

Upgradesdgsisson  | 09/07/04

More of question than a remark.lewisvincent@...  | 09/07/04

I don't plan on downloading the patch even if i...The Admiral  | 09/07/04

No such thing as a free lunchChris The Computin' Goo-roo  | 09/10/04

Why use WinZip anyway?ibnanouk  | 09/07/04

Careful, the WinZIP people will take Microsoft ...Myron_s  | 09/07/04

Hell, that could be years.........jkr10000@...  | 09/07/04

Good point....Myron_s  | 09/10/04

Why use WinZIP?Myron_s  | 09/07/04

Old Password will not worked@...  | 09/07/04

Download patch?alicia@...  | 09/07/04

Quit paying for software!Keefebella@...  | 09/07/04

Can't be botheredsyndromedoll  | 09/08/04

Rather Safe than Sorryminaj@...  | 09/08/04

UpdatedARCGuy@...  | 09/08/04

Winzip Patchtvsundar@...  | 09/10/04

WinZip Patchst@...  | 09/15/04