CVE-2020-16930 : What You Need to Know

Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on October 16, 2020, with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

Understanding CVE-2020-16930

A remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Excel could allow an attacker to take control of the affected system by running arbitrary code.

What is CVE-2020-16930?

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of objects in memory within Microsoft Excel.
Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.
Users with administrative rights are at higher risk as attackers could gain control of the system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16930

Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized installation of programs, data manipulation, or creation of new accounts with full user rights.
Users with limited rights are less impacted compared to those with administrative privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16930

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Exploitation requires a user to open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Excel.
Attack scenarios include email attacks with malicious files or web-based attacks hosting crafted files.
The security update addresses the issue by correcting how Microsoft Excel handles objects in memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2019 version 19.0.0
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise version 16.0.1
Microsoft Office 2016 version 16.0.0
Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 version 15.0.0
Platforms: 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based Systems

Exploitation Mechanism

Users need to open a specially crafted file, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-16930 with these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
Exercise caution when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe email and web browsing practices to prevent social engineering attacks.
Implement security measures like email filtering and web content filtering to block malicious content.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Microsoft and apply them promptly to secure your systems.