CVE-2017-8511 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8509, CVE-2017-8510, CVE-2017-8512, CVE-2017-0260, and CVE-2017-8506.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8511 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Office applications that stems from improper handling of objects in memory. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office including Office 2007, Office 2010, Office 2013, Office 2016, and Office 2019 across various operating systems. The flaw manifests when Office applications process specially crafted malicious files that contain malformed objects in memory, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering techniques where users are tricked into opening malicious Office documents, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
From a technical perspective, CVE-2017-8511 falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, specifically related to improper handling of objects during memory operations. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or heap corruption issue where Office applications fail to validate the size and structure of objects in memory before processing them. This improper validation allows attackers to craft malicious Office documents that, when opened, cause the application to allocate memory incorrectly or overwrite memory regions with malicious payloads. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it leverages the normal operation of Office applications to execute code, making detection and prevention more challenging. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write", which are fundamental memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in security literature.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8511 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when successfully exploited. Once executed, the remote code execution allows threat actors to install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistent backdoors, and conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised network. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction through opening malicious documents, which makes it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns. Organizations running affected Office versions face significant risk of data breaches, credential theft, and system infiltration. The vulnerability's presence in widely used Office applications means that any organization with Microsoft Office installations is potentially at risk, regardless of their security posture. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers leverage the vulnerability to execute malicious code and establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8511 should encompass multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation attempts. Microsoft released security patches and updates that address this vulnerability, making immediate patching the primary recommendation for organizations. System administrators should implement the latest security updates from Microsoft, particularly the patches released in the July 2017 security bulletin. Additional protective measures include implementing strict email filtering and content inspection to prevent malicious Office documents from reaching end users, disabling macro execution in Office applications where possible, and employing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect suspicious activities related to exploitation attempts, while user education programs can reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks. Organizations should also consider deploying advanced threat detection solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, so regular security awareness training becomes crucial in reducing successful attack vectors. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Office versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality.