CVE-2018-0852 in Outlook
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Outlook 2007 SP3, Microsoft Outlook 2010 SP2, Microsoft Outlook 2013 SP1 and RT SP1, Microsoft Outlook 2016, and Microsoft Office 2016 Click-to-Run (C2R) allow a remote code execution vulnerability, due to how Outlook handles objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE is unique from CVE-2018-0851.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Outlook and Office applications, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from how Outlook processes objects in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate application behavior through specially crafted email messages or files. The issue impacts Outlook 2007 SP3, Outlook 2010 SP2, Outlook 2013 SP1 and RT SP1, Outlook 2016, and Office 2016 Click-to-Run installations, making it a widespread concern across the Microsoft Office ecosystem. This memory corruption vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems when users open maliciously crafted email attachments or view specially formatted content within Outlook.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Attackers exploit this flaw by crafting malicious email messages or documents that trigger improper memory handling within Outlook's processing engine. When the vulnerable application attempts to parse these malformed objects, it can overwrite memory locations or execute unintended code paths, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through routine email interactions, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0852 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations running affected Outlook versions face significant risk since the vulnerability can be exploited through email-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious message. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email is a primary communication channel and where users may not be adequately trained to identify suspicious content. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in persistent backdoors, credential theft, and lateral movement within network infrastructure, potentially leading to widespread data breaches and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as this vulnerability requires official fixes to address the underlying memory handling issues. Organizations should also implement email filtering solutions that can detect and quarantine potentially malicious content before it reaches end users. Network segmentation and privileged access controls can help limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of not opening unexpected email attachments. The vulnerability's characteristics make it suitable for detection through behavioral monitoring systems that can identify unusual memory access patterns or code execution attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unsigned or untrusted code within the Outlook environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered defense strategies to protect against sophisticated remote code execution threats.