CVE-2018-8582 in Outlook
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft Outlook parses specially modified rule export files, aka "Microsoft Outlook Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Office 365 ProPlus, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8522, CVE-2018-8524, CVE-2018-8576.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8582 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Outlook's handling of rule export files, specifically affecting Office 365 ProPlus, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Outlook products. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's rule parsing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust model inherent in email client applications, where users typically expect to safely handle rule export files without security implications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Outlook processes specially crafted rule export files that contain malicious payloads designed to trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions within the application's parsing routines. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-121, which encompasses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting a malicious .rul file that, when imported into Outlook, triggers the vulnerable code path and allows an attacker to execute code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique under T1059.001, specifically command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8582 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems through various attack vectors including initial access via phishing emails containing malicious rule files, lateral movement within networks, and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft products simultaneously, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Outlook is widely deployed. Security researchers have noted that the attack surface is broad due to the nature of rule export functionality, which is commonly used for automating email processing tasks. Organizations with extensive Outlook deployments face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through simple email attachments without requiring complex social engineering beyond convincing users to open the malicious files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of defense including immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, implementation of email filtering rules to block suspicious rule files, and user education regarding the risks of opening unknown rule export files. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code and monitoring for unusual rule import activities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate attention from security teams, as it can be exploited without user interaction once an email containing the malicious file is received. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may be running vulnerable versions of Outlook and ensure that all endpoints are properly patched according to Microsoft's security advisory recommendations.