CVE-2023-21738 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE, assigned by Microsoft, pertains to a Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Visio. It was published on January 10, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-21738

This vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely execute code in Microsoft Office Visio, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-21738?

CVE-2023-21738 is a Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Visio, allowing attackers to execute malicious code remotely.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21738

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a base score of 7.8 according to the CVSS v3.1 system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access, data manipulation, and control over affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21738

This vulnerability affects the following Microsoft products:

Microsoft Office 2019 (version 19.0.0)
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (version 16.0.1)
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 (version 16.0.1)

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute code in Microsoft Office Visio, posing a serious security risk to affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, and Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 across both 32-bit and x64-based systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious Visio files and convincing users to open them, enabling the execution of arbitrary code on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2023-21738, it is crucial to take immediate action and implement necessary security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Users must exercise caution when opening Visio files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on security best practices to mitigate the risk of falling victim to remote code execution attacks.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released security updates to address CVE-2023-21738. It is recommended to visit the Microsoft Security Update Guide for the specific patches related to this vulnerability.