CVE-2018-0796 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability known as the "Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability" exists in Microsoft Excel versions found in Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016. This vulnerability arises from the way objects are managed in the computer's memory and may potentially lead to remote code execution.

Understanding CVE-2018-0796

This CVE relates to a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Excel versions within Microsoft Office suites.

What is CVE-2018-0796?

The vulnerability allows remote code execution due to memory handling issues in Microsoft Excel versions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0796

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it could allow attackers to execute code remotely on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0796

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Microsoft Excel in Microsoft Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 is susceptible to remote code execution due to memory handling vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Microsoft Excel
Vendor: Microsoft Corporation
Versions: Microsoft Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by manipulating objects in memory to execute malicious code remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Consider restricting access to Microsoft Excel files from untrusted sources.
Educate users on recognizing and avoiding suspicious Excel files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office to the latest versions.
Implement strong security measures to prevent unauthorized access to systems.

Patching and Updates

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