CVE-2018-0804 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Equation Editor in Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and 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-2018-0805, CVE-2018-0806, and CVE-2018-0807.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0804 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Office's Equation Editor component across multiple versions including Office 2003 through Office 2016. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects within memory structures, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The Equation Editor, a component designed to facilitate mathematical equation creation within Office documents, becomes a vector for exploitation when processing specially crafted malicious content that triggers memory corruption conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption mechanisms that specifically target the Equation Editor's object handling routines. When a user opens a maliciously crafted Office document containing specially constructed Equation objects, the vulnerable code path is triggered, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to execute code with the privileges of the victim user. This flaw operates at the memory management level where insufficient validation occurs during object processing, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through email attachments or web-based documents without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a prime candidate for zero-day attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Office documents are frequently shared and opened by multiple users. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Office versions means that organizations with legacy systems or those that have not fully updated their software remain at risk. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack surface management and incident response planning, as it represents a common entry point for advanced persistent threats.
Organizations should implement layered mitigation strategies including regular patch management, email filtering solutions, and user education programs to reduce exposure to this vulnerability. The implementation of Microsoft's security updates and Office-specific security features such as Protected View and macro security settings can significantly reduce exploitation risk. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to exploitation of remote services and privilege escalation. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-125 which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787 which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are relevant to the memory corruption aspects of this flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting user permissions to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.