ZDI-26-444: 7-Zip XZ Decompression Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 7.0. The following CVEs are assigned: CVE-2026-14266.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-14266 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the XZ decompression functionality of 7-Zip. Crafted XZ-compressed data can overflow a heap buffer, enabling remote code execution in the context of the current process. Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious file or visiting a malicious page). The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.0 and is fixed in 7-Zip version 26.02.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running 7-Zip. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system or application context. User interaction is required for exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade 7-Zip to version 26.02 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are specified in the advisory.
ZDI-26-444: 7-Zip XZ Decompression Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 7.0. The following CVEs are assigned: CVE-2026-14266.
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-14266 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the XZ decompression functionality of 7-Zip. Crafted XZ-compressed data can overflow a heap buffer, enabling remote code execution in the context of the current process. Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious file or visiting a malicious page). The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.0 and is fixed in 7-Zip version 26.02.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running 7-Zip. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system or application context. User interaction is required for exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade 7-Zip to version 26.02 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are specified in the advisory.
Technical Details
- Article Source
- {"url":"http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-444/","fetched":true,"fetchedAt":"2026-07-16T15:50:27.929Z","wordCount":186}
- Classification
- {"confidence":0.95,"severitySource":"cvss-text","classifier":"rss-v2"}
Threat ID: 6a58fe6468715ace43485b43
Added to database: 07/16/2026, 15:53:08 UTC
Last enriched: 08/07/2026, 06:02:07 UTC
Last updated: 08/30/2026, 02:06:12 UTC
Views: 180
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