CVE-2023-21737 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves the Microsoft Office Visio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability which has been published on January 10, 2023, by Microsoft.

Understanding CVE-2023-21737

This section provides insights into the nature of CVE-2023-21737, its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21737?

CVE-2023-21737 refers to the Microsoft Office Visio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. It can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21737

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as "High" with a base score of 7.8 out of 10. It falls under the category of Remote Code Execution, posing a serious risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21737

In this section, we delve into specific technical details regarding the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running the affected Microsoft Visio products.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Office 2019 (Version 19.0.0)
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (Version 16.0.1)
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 (Version 16.0.1)
Microsoft Visio 2013 Service Pack 1 (Versions up to 15.0.5519.1000)
Microsoft Visio 2016 (Versions up to 16.0.5378.1000)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker by sending a specifically crafted file or link to the targeted user, tricking them into opening the malicious content, thereby allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21737, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly to address the vulnerability.
Users are advised to be cautious while opening email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employing network segmentation to minimize the impact of potential attacks.
Keeping systems and software up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released security updates to patch the vulnerability. Users of the affected products should ensure they apply these updates promptly to secure their systems.