CVE-2018-0795 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 allow a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability".
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
This vulnerability resides within Microsoft Office applications including versions 2010, 2013, and 2016, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that exploits improper memory handling of objects. The vulnerability stems from how the software processes certain file objects in memory, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. This issue falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, specifically aligning with CWE-125 which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious Office documents that, when opened by vulnerable applications, trigger memory corruption leading to unauthorized code execution.
The technical exploitation occurs through the manipulation of object handling within Office's memory management system. When a specially crafted document is processed, the application fails to properly validate object boundaries during memory allocation and access operations. This improper handling creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite memory locations with malicious code payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through social engineering tactics where users open maliciously crafted Office files, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The attack vector typically involves email attachments or web downloads containing specially formatted documents designed to exploit this memory handling weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware components. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Office applications are widely used. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and control, T1078 for valid accounts, and T1566 for social engineering. The widespread adoption of affected Office versions across organizations creates a substantial attack surface that security teams must address immediately.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Office versions, implementation of strict file validation policies, and user education regarding suspicious file attachments. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through regular security patches, and organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted Office documents and monitor for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.