# CVE-2018-17707: Command injection in Epic Games Launcher

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a crafted URI in the Epic Games Launcher, requiring user interaction to visit a malicious page or file.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 24 Jan 2019
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8qq2-9gv5-26mw

## What is CVE-2018-17707?

CVE-2018-17707 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Epic Games Launcher, published on 24 Jan 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-17707?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Epicgames Launcher.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-17707?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-17707 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-17707 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-17707 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Epic Games Launcher

- [CVE-2024-11872](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-11872/): Epic Games Launcher Incorrect Default Permissions Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-17707 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-17707 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Epic Games Launcher, published on 24 Jan 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-17707 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Epic Games Launcher. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17707/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17707/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-17707
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-17707
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-17707

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17707/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.