CVE-2024-35205 in WPS Office
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
The WPS Office (aka cn.wps.moffice_eng) application before 17.0.0 for Android fails to properly sanitize file names before processing them through external application interactions, leading to a form of path traversal. This potentially enables any application to dispatch a crafted library file, aiming to overwrite an existing native library utilized by WPS Office. Successful exploitation could result in the execution of arbitrary commands under the guise of WPS Office's application ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35205 affects the WPS Office Android application, specifically versions prior to 17.0.0, presenting a critical path traversal flaw that stems from inadequate input sanitization of file names. This weakness occurs during external application interactions where the application processes file names without proper validation or sanitization measures, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate the file processing workflow. The flaw exists within the application's handling of external library files, where it fails to properly validate the file paths before executing operations that could lead to unauthorized file system modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious library files that can be dispatched through external application interactions to the vulnerable WPS Office instance. When the application processes these crafted files, the unsanitized file names can be interpreted as paths that traverse the file system hierarchy, potentially allowing the attacker to target and overwrite native libraries that WPS Office relies upon for its core functionality. This path traversal mechanism operates through the application's external library loading process, where the system does not properly validate or restrict the file paths being processed, creating a direct pathway for malicious file replacement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows for arbitrary code execution under the privileged context of the WPS Office application ID. Successful exploitation enables attackers to replace legitimate native libraries with malicious counterparts, which will then be executed whenever WPS Office performs its normal operations. This creates a persistent backdoor within the application that can be leveraged to execute commands, access sensitive data, or establish further footholds within the device. The attack vector specifically targets the application's trust in external library processing, exploiting the legitimate file handling mechanisms to gain unauthorized control over the application's execution environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, representing a classic path traversal attack that exploits insufficient input validation in file processing operations. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548 Abuse of Functionality, where adversaries leverage legitimate application functionality to execute malicious code. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it operates within the application's own execution context, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass many traditional security controls that focus on external network-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-35205 should prioritize immediate application updates to version 17.0.0 or later, which includes proper file name sanitization and path validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional protective measures such as restricting external library loading capabilities, implementing strict file path validation checks, and monitoring for unusual library file modifications. The application should be configured to validate all external file inputs through comprehensive sanitization routines that prevent directory traversal sequences and ensure that file paths remain within designated safe directories. Network-level protections should also be considered, including monitoring for suspicious external file interactions and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which external applications can interact with WPS Office. System administrators should conduct regular security audits to verify that no malicious libraries have been installed and ensure that all applications maintain proper file system permissions to prevent unauthorized library modifications.