CVE-2019-1449 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in the security feature of Office Click-to-Run (C2R) components allows for privilege escalation when handling a specially crafted file, affecting Microsoft Office and Office 365 ProPlus.

Understanding CVE-2019-1449

This CVE identifies a security feature bypass vulnerability in Microsoft Office products.

What is CVE-2019-1449?

The vulnerability in Office Click-to-Run components enables the escalation of privileges to SYSTEM for various user contexts when processing a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1449

The vulnerability can be exploited by executing a specially crafted file, potentially leading to privilege escalation and bypassing security features within Microsoft Office.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1449

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for the bypassing of security features in Office Click-to-Run components, leading to privilege escalation to SYSTEM.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office: 2019 for 32-bit and 64-bit editions
Office 365 ProPlus: 32-bit and 64-bit Systems

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to execute a specially crafted file, triggering the privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1449 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Educate users on safe file handling practices to prevent executing malicious files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from Microsoft to address CVE-2019-1449.