A user on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @NSA_Employee39 claimed to have released a zero-day vulnerability for the popular open-source file archiver 7-Zip. The verified account, boasting just over 1,400 followers, announced plans to “drop 0days all this week” as a gesture of appreciation for new followers.
The initial claim revolved around an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability in 7-Zip. This vulnerability allegedly allowed attackers to execute any code on a victim’s device. To back the claim, the user posted what they called exploit code on Pastebin. The description suggested it involved “a crafted .7z archive with a malformed LZMA stream to trigger a buffer overflow condition in the RC_NORM function.”
Despite the buzz generated by the post, security experts attempting to replicate the exploit found no evidence that it worked. One expert commented, “Maybe I just suck but I don’t think this is real.” Igor Pavlov, the creator of 7-Zip, quickly dismissed the claim, stating on the 7-Zip discussion forum, “This report on Twitter is fake. And I don’t understand why this Twitter user did this. There is no such ACE vulnerability in 7-Zip / LZMA.”
While this particular claim was proven false, it’s important to note that 7-Zip has had legitimate vulnerabilities in the past. A recent example includes a critical flaw in the Zstandard decompression implementation, which allowed remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. This issue, identified as CVE-2024-11477, was resolved in a subsequent update, emphasizing the need for users to stay current with software patches.
As for the user behind the fake claim, their motives remain unclear. The account did not respond to inquiries, leaving the reasons for posting the fabricated vulnerability up to speculation. Whether it was an attempt at attention-seeking, a joke, or a misguided effort to test security experts, the incident underscores the importance of verifying claims before acting on them.
Perhaps the most confusing element of the whole ordeal was releasing the so-called vulnerability on the sixth day of Christmas rather than the seventh, given its connection to the “7” in 7-Zip. While the post may have provided a brief moment of intrigue, it also served as a reminder of the need for critical thinking and verification in the cybersecurity space.
For those struggling with loneliness during the holidays, there are always ways to find help and support. The season can be a challenging time, but reaching out to loved ones, friends, or professional resources can make all the difference.
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