WPS Office: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2024-7263 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in WPS Office from Kingsoft, 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. The record lists version 12.2.0.17115 as the first without the flaw, so updating WPS Office to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update WPS Office to 12.2.0.17115 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on wps.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsoft | WPS Office | 12.2.0.13110 up to, but not including, 12.2.0.17115; 12.2.0.13110 through 12.2.0.17153 | 12.2.0.17115 |
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 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (eset.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Improper path validation in promecefpluginhost.exe in Kingsoft WPS Office version ranging from 12.2.0.13110 to 12.2.0.17115 (exclusive) on Windows allows an attacker to load an arbitrary Windows library. The patch released in version 12.1.0.17119 to mitigate CVE-2024-7262 was not restrictive enough. Another parameter was not properly sanitized which leads to the execution of an arbitrary Windows library.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
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
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in WPS Office
- 9.5 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
Kingsoft WPS Office Path Traversal Exploited
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
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