CVE-2024-11957 in WPS Office
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2025
Improper verification of the digital signature in ksojscore.dll in Kingsoft WPS Office in versions equal or less than 12.1.0.18276
on Windows allows an attacker to load an arbitrary Windows library. The patch released in version 12.2.0.16909 to mitigate CVE-2024-7262 was not restrictive enough.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11957 represents a critical flaw in Kingsoft WPS Office affecting versions 12.1.0.18276 and earlier on Windows platforms. This issue resides within the ksojscore.dll component which handles JavaScript execution and library loading within the office suite. The flaw stems from inadequate digital signature verification mechanisms that fail to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of dynamically loaded Windows libraries. This improper verification creates a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code through the loading of unauthorized dynamic link libraries into the WPS Office process memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the software's security controls that should have prevented the loading of unsigned or untrusted libraries. The ksojscore.dll module is designed to handle JavaScript-based extensions and plugins within WPS Office, but the digital signature verification process lacks sufficient rigor to ensure that only legitimate, properly signed libraries are loaded. This weakness operates under the CWE-330 weakness category, specifically addressing insufficient entropy in the verification process where the system fails to adequately validate the cryptographic integrity of loaded components. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass the intended security boundaries that should protect against unauthorized code execution, creating a persistent threat vector within the application's runtime environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the victim's system. When an attacker successfully loads an arbitrary Windows library, they can potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the WPS Office process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This scenario creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where the initial compromise can lead to full system control. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting, where attackers leverage legitimate scripting interfaces to execute malicious payloads. The threat landscape is further complicated by the fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used office suite, increasing the potential attack surface and the number of possible victims.
The remediation efforts for CVE-2024-11957 were insufficiently addressed in the patch released for CVE-2024-7262, indicating a broader security oversight in the software's update mechanisms. This failure to properly address the digital signature verification weakness demonstrates a pattern of inadequate security controls that could leave other similar vulnerabilities unaddressed. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including disabling JavaScript execution within WPS Office, restricting file execution permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized library loading activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust digital signature verification processes and the need for comprehensive security testing that addresses all potential attack vectors within complex software applications. Security teams must also consider the broader implications of such flaws in widely deployed office suites and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting across multiple software versions.