CVE-2018-0903 in Access
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Access 2010 SP2, Microsoft Access 2013 SP1, Microsoft Access 2016, and Microsoft Office 2016 Click-to-Run allow a remote code execution vulnerability due to how objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Access Remote Code Execution Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The Microsoft Access Remote Code Execution Vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0903 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Access and Office 2016 Click-to-Run installations. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects within memory structures during the processing of specially crafted files, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests when Microsoft Access processes certain objects that are improperly validated or sanitized before being loaded into memory, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and executed without user interaction.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the memory management practices employed by Microsoft Access when processing external objects or embedded content within database files. This issue falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory" and more specifically aligns with CWE-787 "Out-of-bounds Write" and CWE-121 "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" as the vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate memory contents through crafted input. The flaw occurs during the parsing and rendering of database objects, particularly when handling malformed or untrusted data structures that are not adequately validated before execution. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious database files containing specially designed objects that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0903 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold for further compromise within targeted networks. This vulnerability enables adversaries to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, or establishing backdoor access points. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through various attack vectors including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised network shares. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.005 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic" and T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" as attackers can leverage the vulnerable application to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target users without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it an attractive vector for large-scale attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0903 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in affected software versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive email filtering and web content filtering to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious database files. Network segmentation and privilege separation can limit the impact of successful exploitation by restricting lateral movement within compromised environments. Security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted database files, while application whitelisting can prevent unauthorized execution of malicious payloads. Additionally, monitoring for unusual access patterns and file execution activities can help detect exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all affected systems have been properly updated to prevent attackers from leveraging this vulnerability for persistent access to organizational networks.