CVE-2018-0851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been discovered in several Microsoft Office software versions, including Microsoft Office 2007 SP2, Microsoft Office Word Viewer, Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Microsoft Office 2013 SP1 and RT SP1, Microsoft Office 2016, and Microsoft Office 2016 Click-to-Run. This vulnerability, known as 'Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability,' enables remote code execution due to how Office handles objects in memory.

Understanding CVE-2018-0851

This CVE affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office and poses a risk of remote code execution.

What is CVE-2018-0851?

The vulnerability in Microsoft Office versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting memory handling.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0851

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it enables remote code execution, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0851

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The 'Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability' in various Microsoft Office versions allows remote code execution through manipulation of memory objects.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2007 SP2
Microsoft Office Word Viewer
Microsoft Office 2010 SP2
Microsoft Office 2013 SP1 and RT SP1
Microsoft Office 2016
Microsoft Office 2016 Click-to-Run (C2R)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by manipulating how Microsoft Office processes objects in its memory, enabling attackers to execute malicious code remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0851 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Consider disabling macros in Microsoft Office applications to reduce the attack surface.
Educate users about phishing emails and suspicious attachments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office and other software to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation to contain potential attacks.
Use endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Microsoft and apply them to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.