CVE-2021-40485 : What You Need to Know

Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on 2021-10-12. It affects various Microsoft products including Excel, SharePoint, Office, and more.

Understanding CVE-2021-40485

This CVE involves a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Microsoft Excel, impacting several Microsoft products.

What is CVE-2021-40485?

Title: Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Published Date: 2021-10-12
CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 7.8 (High)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

The Impact of CVE-2021-40485

Impact Type: Remote Code Execution
Severity: High (Base Score: 7.8)
Affected Microsoft products include Excel, SharePoint, Office, and more.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40485

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

CVE ID: CVE-2021-40485
Type: Remote Code Execution
Vendor: Microsoft

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the following systems and versions:

Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2013 SP1: Version 15.0.0 (less than 15.0.5389.1000)
Microsoft Office 2019, Office Online Server, 365 Apps: Various versions affected
Microsoft Excel 2016: Version 16.0.0.0 (less than 16.0.5227.1000)
Microsoft Excel 2013 SP1: Version 15.0.0.0 (less than 15.0.5389.1000)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems, potentially leading to a complete compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-40485:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft.
Implement security best practices for Microsoft Office products.
Educate users about safe handling of Excel files and macros.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Microsoft products.
Use advanced threat protection solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released security updates to address the vulnerability. Ensure all systems are updated with the latest patches.