WPS Office: Use of Uninitialized Resource
CVE-2023-31275 is a high-severity use of uninitialized resource vulnerability in WPS Office from WPS, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected WPS Office versions: 11.2.0.11537. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.69% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 77% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of WPS Office you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPS | WPS Office | 11.2.0.11537 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
An uninitialized pointer use vulnerability exists in the functionality of WPS Office 11.2.0.11537 that handles Data elements in an Excel file. A specially crafted malformed file can lead to remote code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Uninitialized Resource
The product uses or accesses a resource that has not been initialized.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Explicitly initialize the resource before use. If this is performed through an API function or standard procedure, follow all required steps.
- Pay close attention to complex conditionals that affect initialization, since some branches might not perform the initialization.
- Avoid race conditions (CWE-362) during initialization routines.
More Use of Uninitialized Resource vulnerabilities (CWE-908)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2023-1748Third Party Advisory
Other references
Recent Use of Uninitialized Resource vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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