CVE-2019-0946 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine is vulnerable to remote code execution due to improper memory object handling.

Understanding CVE-2019-0946

What is CVE-2019-0946?

The vulnerability in Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine allows remote code execution, known as 'Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

The Impact of CVE-2019-0946

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-0946

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of objects in memory within the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Microsoft Office 2013 RT Service Pack 1
Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit and 64-bit editions
Office 365 ProPlus on 32-bit and 64-bit Systems

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to craft a malicious file or webpage to exploit the improper memory handling and execute code remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft for the affected versions.
Consider disabling the Access Connectivity Engine if not required for operations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and systems to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the risks of opening unknown files.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Microsoft Office installations are updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the CVE-2019-0946 vulnerability.