CVE-2017-11826 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft Office 2010, SharePoint Enterprise Server 2010, SharePoint Server 2010, Web Applications, Office Web Apps Server 2010 and 2013, Word Viewer, Word 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016, Word Automation Services, and Office Online Server are vulnerable to remote code execution due to memory object handling failures.

Understanding CVE-2017-11826

This CVE identifies a critical vulnerability in various Microsoft products that can be exploited for remote code execution.

What is CVE-2017-11826?

When there is a failure in properly handling objects in memory, Microsoft Office products and servers are susceptible to remote code execution attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11826

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11826

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of memory objects in Microsoft Office products and servers, enabling remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2010
SharePoint Enterprise Server 2010
SharePoint Server 2010
Web Applications
Office Web Apps Server 2010 and 2013
Word Viewer
Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016
Word Automation Services
Office Online Server

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious files or documents and tricking users into opening them, leading to the execution of arbitrary code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-11826 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches and updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
Educate users about the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted sources.
Implement email and web filtering to block suspicious attachments and links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and applications to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Employ network segmentation and least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential breaches.
Conduct regular security training for employees to enhance awareness of social engineering tactics.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft regularly releases security updates and patches to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2017-11826. Ensure that systems are updated with the latest patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.