CVE-2021-31941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft Office Graphics Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on June 8, 2021, by Microsoft. The vulnerability impacts various Microsoft Office versions, including Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Office 2016, and more.

Understanding CVE-2021-31941

This CVE discloses a Remote Code Execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft Office products, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

What is CVE-2021-31941?

The CVE-2021-31941 vulnerability is categorized as Remote Code Execution, with a CVSS base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The flaw originates in the processing of graphics within Microsoft Office.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31941

If exploited, the vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to execute malicious code on the victim's system. This could result in unauthorized access, data theft, system compromise, and further exploitation of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31941

This section provides specific technical details about the CVE-2021-31941 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows potential attackers to create specially crafted files, triggering the vulnerability when opened, leading to remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2019 (Version: 19.0.0)
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac (Version: 16.0.0)
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)
Microsoft Outlook 2013 Service Pack 1 (Version: 15.0.0.0)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through a maliciously crafted file, possibly delivered via email or malicious websites, ultimately leading to code execution when opened by a victim using the affected Microsoft Office products.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-31941 and other similar vulnerabilities, immediate steps should be taken, and long-term security practices should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply the necessary security updates provided by Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability.
Exercise caution while handling unsolicited files or attachments, especially from unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft Office applications to the latest versions.
Implement email filtering mechanisms to block suspicious attachments.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Microsoft Office installations are up to date with the latest security patches to address CVE-2021-31941 and enhance overall system security.