CVE-2020-17125 : What You Need to Know

Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on December 9, 2020, with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

Understanding CVE-2020-17125

This CVE identifies a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Microsoft Excel.

What is CVE-2020-17125?

The CVE-2020-17125 is a security vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17125

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS base score of 7.8, making it a critical issue for affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17125

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious code remotely on systems running the affected Microsoft Excel versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2019 (Version 19.0.0)
Microsoft Office Online Server (Version 16.0.1)
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (Version 16.0.1)
Microsoft Excel 2016 (Version 16.0.0.0)
Microsoft Excel 2010 Service Pack 2 (Version 13.0.0.0)
Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (Version 15.0.0.0)
Microsoft Office Web Apps 2013 Service Pack 1 (Version 15.0.0.0)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by enticing a user to open a specially crafted Excel file, triggering the execution of malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-17125, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft.
Avoid opening Excel files from untrusted sources.
Implement security best practices for email attachments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office and Excel to the latest versions.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and email security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running the affected Microsoft Excel versions are patched with the latest security updates.