CVE-2020-0696 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE article provides insights into a security feature bypass vulnerability affecting Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office, Office 365 ProPlus, and specific versions, highlighting impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2020-0696

This CVE pertains to a security feature bypass vulnerability found in Microsoft Outlook software.

What is CVE-2020-0696?

A security feature bypass flaw in Microsoft Outlook occurs due to improper parsing of URI formats, known as 'Microsoft Outlook Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability'.

The Impact of CVE-2020-0696

Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can bypass security measures within Microsoft Outlook, leading to potential unauthorized access and security breaches.
Affected systems risk exposure to malicious activities, including data theft or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-0696

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerability Type: Security Feature Bypass
Affected Software: Microsoft Outlook

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating URI formats to bypass security checks in Microsoft Outlook, potentially gaining unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines on addressing and preventing the impact of CVE-2020-0696.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Microsoft Outlook to the latest version to patch the security loophole.
Employ email filtering solutions to detect suspicious activities related to URI manipulation.
Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns indicating potential exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security training for users on identifying phishing attempts and malicious emails.
Implement access controls to limit the reach of potential security breaches within Microsoft Outlook.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Microsoft and promptly apply recommended patches to address vulnerabilities.