CVE-2018-0805 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2018-0805, a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Office Equation Editor allowing remote code execution. Find out affected versions and mitigation steps.
The Equation Editor feature in multiple versions of Microsoft Office has a vulnerability that could lead to remote code execution.
Understanding CVE-2018-0805
What is CVE-2018-0805?
The Equation Editor feature in Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 has a vulnerability that allows potential remote code execution due to memory object management.
The Impact of CVE-2018-0805
This vulnerability, also known as the "Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability," poses a significant risk as it could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-0805
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Equation Editor arises from the way objects are handled in memory, making it possible for attackers to exploit this flaw for remote code execution.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Microsoft Office 2003
- Microsoft Office 2007
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Microsoft Office 2013
- Microsoft Office 2016
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious Equation Editor object within a Microsoft Office document, which when opened, could trigger the remote code execution.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable Equation Editor if not essential for daily operations.
- Implement security updates provided by Microsoft to address this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Microsoft Office to the latest version to ensure security patches are applied.
- Educate users on safe document handling practices to prevent opening potentially malicious files.
Patching and Updates
Apply the latest security updates and patches released by Microsoft to mitigate the CVE-2018-0805 vulnerability.