PowerPoint: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CVE-2024-39804 is a critical-severity improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability in PowerPoint from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected PowerPoint versions: 16.83 for macOS. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.89% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 60% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of PowerPoint you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | PowerPoint | 16.83 for macOS | 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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
A library injection vulnerability exists in Microsoft PowerPoint 16.83 for macOS. A specially crafted library can leverage PowerPoint's access privileges, leading to a permission bypass. A malicious application could inject a library and start the program to trigger this vulnerability and then make use of the vulnerable application's permissions.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
The product does not verify, or incorrectly verifies, the cryptographic signature for data.
More Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities (CWE-347)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1974Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1974Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in PowerPoint
- 9.3 High severity
Microsoft PowerPoint Memory Corruption Exploited
- 7.8 High severity
Microsoft PowerPoint Buffer Overflow Exploited
- 9.3 High severity
- 9.3 High severity
Recent Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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