CVE-2018-0802 is a high-severity vulnerability found in the Equation Editor of Microsoft Office products including Office 2007, Office 2010, Office 2013, and Office 2016. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely due to improper handling of objects in memory, commonly referred to as the "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability". The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating significant risk.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized remote code execution if exploited. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive data or perform malicious actions within the context of the affected user. The urgency for defenders is critical, as it is essential to prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential exploits.
As of now, this vulnerability is actively tracked and has been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog as of November 3, 2021. Organizations must take swift action to apply the necessary patches to protect themselves from potential exploitation.
Given the ongoing threat landscape, organizations are advised to assess their vulnerability management practices and ensure that they have robust security measures in place to defend against this and similar vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2018-0802 notes that the Equation Editor in Microsoft Office products allows a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, categorized as high severity. The affected versions include Microsoft Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016, specifically noting the service packs and compatibility pack versions.
The vulnerability was published on January 10, 2018, and is classified under CWE-787, which signifies improper control of a resource through its lifetime. This vulnerability presents a significant risk, especially in local environments where user interaction is required to trigger the exploit.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2018-0802 stems from improper memory management within the Equation Editor of Microsoft Office. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through local means, requiring low complexity and no privileges. However, user interaction is necessary, as the victim must open a specially crafted document.
The attack vector is local, meaning the attacker must have access to the system. The attack complexity is low, which means that the exploit can be executed without sophisticated techniques. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to severe consequences.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk of CVE-2018-0802 is significant, especially for organizations that rely on Microsoft Office products for daily operations. The potential blast radius is large, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Office, including widely used applications like Word. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts.
The urgency assessment is critical given the high CVSS score and the fact that this vulnerability is listed in the KEV catalog. Organizations must act swiftly to apply patches and mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability to prevent exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016. Specific vulnerable versions include: Office 2007 (SP3), Office 2010 (SP2), Office 2013 (SP1), and Office 2016 (including click-to-run versions). If version information is missing, it is stated that all versions prior to vendor patch are affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying security updates provided by Microsoft to remediate this vulnerability. For detailed patch information, refer to Microsoft's Security Update Guide regarding CVE-2018-0802. In addition to patching, organizations should implement configuration hardening practices and network controls to limit exposure, including monitoring systems for any unusual activity.
Continuous security testing should also be a part of an organization's security strategy to ensure ongoing compliance and security posture.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual log indicators, behavioral anomalies, and network signatures associated with this vulnerability is essential. Organizations should also keep track of system changes that may signify an attempted exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2018-0802 represents a significant threat within the Microsoft ecosystem, highlighting the importance of robust security practices and timely patch management. This vulnerability underscores the need for organizations to stay vigilant against similar memory corruption issues in software.
Security teams are encouraged to assess their vulnerability management programs and consider adopting a proactive approach, such as vulnerability management program, to enhance defenses against potential exploits.
For organizations utilizing Microsoft Office products, understanding the implications of CVE-2018-0802 is crucial for maintaining secure operations. Ensuring that all users apply the necessary updates promptly is a key step in mitigating risk.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)