CVE-2018-17707 in Launcher
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Epic Games Launcher versions prior to 8.2.2. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handler for the com.epicgames.launcher protocol. A crafted URI with the com.epicgames.launcher protocol can trigger execution of a system call composed from a user-supplied string. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-7241.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the Epic Games Launcher affecting versions prior to 8.2.2, demonstrating a classic protocol handler security weakness that has significant implications for gaming platform security. The vulnerability resides within the com.epicgames.launcher protocol handler implementation, which processes URI schemes used for communication between web applications and the launcher. When a malicious URI containing this protocol is processed, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before constructing system calls, creating a dangerous injection vector that allows arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, making it a direct descendant of command injection flaws that have plagued software systems for decades.
The exploitation mechanism requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage or opening a malicious file that contains the specially crafted URI, which aligns with the typical attack pattern for protocol handler vulnerabilities. This requirement for user interaction does not mitigate the severity of the vulnerability, as social engineering attacks targeting gamers are highly effective and the attack surface is broad given the widespread use of gaming platforms. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially allowing for privilege escalation, data theft, or further system compromise depending on the user's access level and the operating system environment. This represents a significant risk to gamers who may inadvertently encounter malicious content while browsing gaming-related websites or downloading files from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates a persistent attack vector that can be leveraged for various malicious activities within the gaming ecosystem. Attackers can use this vulnerability to install malware, steal login credentials, or manipulate game files, potentially compromising not just the gaming platform but also other applications running on the same system. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used platform like Epic Games Launcher means that successful exploitation could affect millions of users globally, making it a prime target for threat actors seeking to maximize their attack surface. Security researchers have classified this issue as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without requiring any special privileges beyond basic user access, which significantly increases the attack surface and makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise and gaming environments where users may have elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate patching requirements and the underlying architectural issues that allow such injection flaws to exist. The primary solution involves updating to Epic Games Launcher version 8.2.2 or later, which implements proper input validation and sanitization for protocol handlers. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as DNS filtering and web content filtering to prevent users from accessing malicious sites that may contain exploit payloads. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or opening unknown files, as these social engineering tactics remain the most common attack vectors for exploiting such vulnerabilities. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in protocol handler implementations and demonstrates why security controls should be implemented at multiple layers of the attack chain. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a technique involving protocol execution and command injection, with potential lateral movement capabilities if the compromised system has access to network resources or other sensitive data.