CVE-2018-0849 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 • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0849 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Office's Equation Editor component across multiple versions including Office 2003 through 2016. This vulnerability specifically exploits how the Equation Editor handles object manipulation in memory, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists in the way the application processes mathematical equation objects, particularly when these objects are embedded within documents and subsequently rendered by the Equation Editor component. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely used office application suite with extensive global deployment across enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Equation Editor's object processing mechanisms. When a maliciously crafted document containing specially crafted equation objects is opened, the Equation Editor fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data before processing it in memory. This inadequate input validation creates a buffer overflow condition or memory corruption scenario that attackers can leverage to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Office application. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level where the application's handling of complex mathematical objects creates exploitable conditions that bypass standard security mitigations. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" as attackers often use such vulnerabilities to deploy PowerShell-based payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0849 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to target systems, deploy additional malware payloads, establish command and control channels, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only that a user open a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns where social engineering can be used to entice victims into opening compromised files. Organizations running affected Office versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious Office documents. The widespread deployment of affected Office versions means that enterprises across multiple sectors remain vulnerable, with the potential for cascading security incidents when attackers successfully compromise individual endpoints.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0849 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as the primary defense mechanism. Organizations must ensure all affected Office versions receive the relevant security updates and patches released by Microsoft to address the memory handling flaws in the Equation Editor component. Additionally, implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block documents containing suspicious equation objects can provide layered protection. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security awareness training programs should educate users about the dangers of opening unexpected Office documents, particularly those received via email. Disabling the Equation Editor functionality through Group Policy settings or registry modifications can also serve as a temporary mitigation while permanent patches are deployed. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual process execution patterns or network connections that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CVE-2018-0805 through CVE-2018-0807 highlights the interconnected nature of these Equation Editor vulnerabilities, requiring comprehensive remediation across all affected Microsoft Office versions.