CVE-2018-0853 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Microsoft Office 2013 SP1 and RT SP1, Microsoft Office 2016, and Microsoft Office 2016 Click-to-Run (C2R) allow an information disclosure vulnerability, due to how Office initializes the affected variable, aka "Microsoft Office Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office including 2010 SP2, 2013 SP1 and RT SP1, 2016, and 2016 Click-to-Run installations. The issue stems from improper initialization of a variable within the Office application suite, creating an information disclosure condition that could potentially expose sensitive data to unauthorized parties. The flaw exists in how Office handles memory allocation and variable initialization processes, particularly when processing certain file formats or executing specific operations within the application environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of data structures and memory management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the initialization phase of specific variables within Office's processing pipeline. When Office applications encounter certain file structures or execute particular commands, they fail to properly initialize memory locations that should contain sensitive information or system data. This improper initialization can result in memory contents from previous operations or system information being inadvertently exposed to attackers who can then access this leaked data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level and can be triggered through normal Office functionality, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Microsoft Office is widely deployed. Attackers could potentially leverage this information disclosure to gain insights into system configurations, memory layouts, or other sensitive operational details that could aid in subsequent attacks. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as this leaked information could be used to refine exploitation techniques, bypass security controls, or facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the core Office applications which are essential tools in most business environments, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through routine document processing activities or email attachments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches that address this specific information disclosure vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers might use the leaked information to craft more targeted attacks. Additionally, implementing proper application whitelisting policies and reducing the attack surface through careful access control measures can help limit the potential impact of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all Office installations are properly patched and that no other similar information disclosure issues exist within the environment.