CVE-2018-0792 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2016 in Microsoft Office 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE is unique from CVE-2018-0794.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0792 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Word 2016 that exists within the broader Microsoft Office 2016 suite. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory during document processing operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically affects the way Word manages memory objects when parsing certain document formats, particularly those containing specially crafted embedded elements that trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where applications fail to properly validate memory boundaries when processing structured data. In this case, Microsoft Word 2016 does not adequately validate the size or structure of objects within document files, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layouts through carefully constructed malicious documents. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to process objects that exceed expected memory boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through email attachments or web downloads, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Microsoft Office is widely deployed. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending specially crafted Word documents to targeted users, who when opened, trigger the exploitation process. The remote code execution capability allows threat actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level, bypassing many traditional network-based security controls and potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within compromised networks. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office 2016 and Windows operating systems, creating a broad attack surface that security teams must address urgently.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0792 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in Word's document parsing engine. Organizations should implement strict email filtering policies to block suspicious document attachments and disable automatic opening of executable files in email clients. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of defense by limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections or file modifications that may indicate successful exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which describes exploitation for execution through malicious document attachments, making it a key focus area for incident response teams and security operations centers. Organizations should also consider implementing advanced threat detection mechanisms that can identify anomalous behavior patterns consistent with memory corruption exploits, as traditional signature-based detection may not be sufficient to prevent exploitation of such sophisticated vulnerabilities.