CVE-2025-50329 Overview
CVE-2025-50329 affects ConeXware PowerArchiver version 22.00.11 and earlier. The vulnerability resides in powerarc.exe, the primary archiving component installed with the product. A remote attacker can exploit the flaw to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
PowerArchiver is a Windows archive management utility used to compress, encrypt, and manage file archives. Because the vulnerable binary runs on user workstations that handle untrusted archive files, exploitation exposes both individual endpoints and enterprise environments to compromise.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation through the powerarc.exe binary in PowerArchiver v22.00.11 and earlier versions.
Affected Products
- ConeXware PowerArchiver version 22.00.11
- ConeXware PowerArchiver versions prior to 22.00.11
- Windows systems running the affected powerarc.exe component
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-22 - CVE-2025-50329 published to NVD
- 2026-07-22 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-50329
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists within powerarc.exe, the core executable of the PowerArchiver suite. A remote attacker can leverage the flaw to escalate privileges on the affected host and run arbitrary code in the security context of the vulnerable process. The public advisory does not disclose the specific class of memory or logic error, but the described impact indicates a critical trust boundary failure between attacker-controlled input and privileged execution paths.
Exploitation results in both privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. This combination allows an attacker to move from limited or no local access to higher-privileged control of the endpoint. Attackers frequently trigger archive utility flaws by delivering crafted archive files through email, web downloads, or shared network locations.
Root Cause
The root cause is documented as an issue in powerarc.exe that permits privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. See the GitHub CVE-2025-50329 Reference and GitHub Commit Details for the researcher's technical write-up.
Attack Vector
The advisory describes the attack as remote. A likely exploitation path involves delivering a malicious archive file to a user, who then opens or extracts it with the vulnerable version of PowerArchiver. Successful exploitation leads to code execution and privilege escalation on the host. No verified exploit code has been published; readers should consult the PowerArchiver Official Site for vendor updates.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-50329
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by powerarc.exe, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or wscript.exe.
- powerarc.exe performing outbound network connections to non-vendor domains or unusual IP addresses.
- New scheduled tasks, services, or autorun registry entries created shortly after archive extraction events.
- Write activity by powerarc.exe to sensitive locations such as %SystemRoot%\System32, startup folders, or user profile persistence paths.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage where powerarc.exe is the parent of scripting engines or LOLBins.
- Alert on token elevation or integrity level changes originating from PowerArchiver processes.
- Inspect archive files delivered via email gateways for suspicious payloads and nested content targeting archive utilities.
- Track installations of PowerArchiver across the environment to identify hosts still running version 22.00.11 or earlier.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows process creation auditing (Event ID 4688) and command-line logging for endpoints running PowerArchiver.
- Forward endpoint telemetry to a centralized SIEM or data lake for retrospective hunting against powerarc.exe behavior.
- Deploy file integrity monitoring on directories used by PowerArchiver to detect unexpected binary modifications.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-50329
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all endpoints running ConeXware PowerArchiver and identify systems with version 22.00.11 or earlier.
- Update PowerArchiver to the latest vendor-supplied release once a patched build is available from ConeXware.
- Restrict opening of archives from untrusted sources until affected hosts have been remediated.
- Apply application allowlisting to limit which users can execute powerarc.exe on sensitive systems.
Patch Information
Check the PowerArchiver Official Site for the latest release addressing CVE-2025-50329. Reference the GitHub CVE-2025-50329 Reference for additional context on the fix and affected versions.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable PowerArchiver on systems where it is not required for business operations.
- Configure email and web gateways to inspect and, where appropriate, block archive formats handled by PowerArchiver from untrusted senders.
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts so that any code executed by powerarc.exe runs without administrative rights.
- Isolate workstations that process archives from external parties from sensitive internal network segments.
# Configuration example: query installed PowerArchiver version on Windows endpoints
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" /s /f "PowerArchiver"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
