CVE-2018-0798 : Security Advisory and Response

Equation Editor in Microsoft Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 is vulnerable to remote code execution due to memory corruption.

Understanding CVE-2018-0798

A vulnerability in Equation Editor within Microsoft Office versions allows remote code execution, posing a security risk.

What is CVE-2018-0798?

The vulnerability, known as "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability," arises from improper handling of objects in memory, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0798

The presence of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized remote code execution on systems running affected Microsoft Office versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0798

Equation Editor in Microsoft Office versions 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 is susceptible to remote code execution due to memory corruption.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit memory handling issues in Equation Editor, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2010
Microsoft Office 2013
Microsoft Office 2016

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting malicious Equation Editor files that, when opened, trigger the execution of arbitrary code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-0798 vulnerability in Equation Editor within Microsoft Office:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable Equation Editor if not essential for operations.
Implement security updates provided by Microsoft.
Educate users on safe handling of documents and email attachments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office to the latest version.
Employ security solutions like antivirus and intrusion detection systems.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and security updates released by Microsoft to address the vulnerability in Equation Editor.