CVE-2019-0541 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the MSHTML engine inproperly validates input, aka "MSHTML Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office Word Viewer, Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Excel Viewer, Internet Explorer 10, Office 365 ProPlus.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
The CVE-2019-0541 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft's MSHTML engine, which serves as the core rendering component for various Microsoft Office applications and web browsers. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the engine's handling of specially crafted HTML content, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw affects multiple Microsoft products including Internet Explorer versions 9, 10, and 11, Office Word Viewer, Excel Viewer, and Office 365 ProPlus installations, making it particularly dangerous due to its widespread impact across the Microsoft ecosystem. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security and office application security, leveraging the MSHTML engine's ability to process and render HTML content within document contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the MSHTML engine processes maliciously crafted HTML content that contains improperly validated input elements. Attackers can craft specific HTML payloads that trigger memory corruption issues within the engine's parsing and rendering processes, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-on user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The attack typically begins with a user opening a malicious document or visiting a compromised webpage that contains the crafted HTML content designed to exploit the input validation flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0541 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems through various attack vectors. Once successfully exploited, adversaries can install malware, steal sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish backdoor access points. The vulnerability's presence in Internet Explorer makes it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks, while its inclusion in Office applications means that email-based phishing campaigns can effectively deliver malicious payloads. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack chain typically involves initial compromise through social engineering, followed by exploitation of the MSHTML engine vulnerability, and concludes with privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0541 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations must prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems including Internet Explorer, Office applications, and Office 365 installations. Network segmentation and web filtering solutions can provide additional protection by blocking access to known malicious domains and implementing strict content filtering policies. Browser hardening measures such as disabling ActiveX controls, implementing sandboxing mechanisms, and restricting automatic execution of embedded content can significantly reduce exploitation risk. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual process creation patterns, memory access violations, and network connections originating from compromised systems. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious email attachments and visiting untrusted websites, as these remain the most common initial attack vectors for this vulnerability type.