CVE-2020-1229 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Outlook when Office fails to enforce security settings configured on a system, aka 'Microsoft Outlook Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability'.

Understanding CVE-2020-1229

This CVE refers to a security issue in Microsoft Outlook related to security settings enforcement.

What is CVE-2020-1229?

It is a security feature bypass vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook due to the failure to enforce configured security settings.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1229

This vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security measures in place, potentially leading to unauthorized access and compromise of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1229

The technical details of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

Type: Security Feature Bypass
Vulnerability: Security settings not enforced in Microsoft Outlook

Affected Systems and Versions

The following products and versions are affected:

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems (unspecified)
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 64-bit Systems (unspecified)
Microsoft Office
2019 for 32-bit editions
2019 for 64-bit editions
2019 for Mac
2016 (32-bit edition)
2016 (64-bit edition)
2016 for Mac
2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions)
2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions)
2013 RT Service Pack 1
2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)
Microsoft Word
2016 (32-bit edition)
2016 (64-bit edition)
2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions)
2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions)
2013 RT Service Pack 1
2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by circumventing security settings within Microsoft Outlook, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-1229, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activity in Microsoft Outlook.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and maintain security configurations in Microsoft Office products.
Educate users on recognizing and reporting suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Keep Microsoft Outlook and associated Office products up-to-date with the latest security patches.