CVE-2017-8501 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Microsoft Office has been identified, potentially leading to remote code execution due to memory corruption. Learn more about the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2017-8501

What is CVE-2017-8501?

Microsoft Office is susceptible to remote code execution as it mishandles memory objects, known as "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability".

The Impact of CVE-2017-8501

This vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8501

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper memory object management in Microsoft Office, enabling potential remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2007 SP3
Microsoft Excel Viewer 2007 SP3
Microsoft Office 2010 SP2
Excel Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 SP1
Microsoft Office for Mac 2011
Microsoft Excel 2013 SP1
Microsoft Excel 2013 RT SP1
Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2013
Microsoft Excel 2016
Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac
Microsoft Office Online Server 2016
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack SP3

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit memory corruption in Microsoft Office, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Educate users on safe email and file handling practices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office and related software to the latest versions.
Conduct security training for employees to enhance awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for and apply security updates and patches released by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.