CVE-2024-21384 in Office
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2024
Microsoft Office OneNote Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2026
This vulnerability involves a remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Office OneNote applications that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling of specially crafted malicious files or content within the OneNote application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by enticing users to open malicious OneNote files or by leveraging the vulnerability in web-based scenarios where OneNote content is rendered. The technical implementation involves memory corruption issues that occur when the application processes specific data structures within OneNote documents, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-on user. This vulnerability directly relates to common weakness enumeration 119 which describes insufficient data validation, and aligns with attack technique t1203 in the attack tree framework where adversaries gain access to systems through application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to compromise user systems without requiring physical access or complex social engineering beyond convincing users to open malicious documents. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within networks where OneNote is used. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office OneNote across different operating systems including Windows desktop and mobile platforms. Organizations using OneNote for collaborative work environments face heightened risk as attackers can compromise shared documents and spread malicious content through legitimate collaboration channels. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and compromised websites that serve malicious OneNote content.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates to address the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies and restrict the opening of OneNote files from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected OneNote files and suspicious email attachments. Additional protective measures include configuring email filters to block suspicious OneNote file types, implementing sandboxing for document processing, and monitoring for unusual network activity or file access patterns. Regular security assessments should verify that systems are properly patched and that security configurations are maintained to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and following secure coding practices to prevent memory corruption issues that could lead to remote code execution attacks.