Remote code execution in Microsoft Excel

1) Buffer overflow

EUVDB-ID: #VU27832

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 5.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-0901

CWE-ID: CWE-119 - Memory corruption

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error in the Excel s_Schema functionality when processing Microsoft Excel files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Excel document, trick the victim into opening it, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Microsoft Office: 2010 Service Pack 2 - 2019

Microsoft Excel: 2010 - 2016

Microsoft Office for Mac: 2016

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_office:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_excel:*:*:*:*:*:microsoft_office:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_excel:2013_RT_Service_Pack_1:*:*:*:*:microsoft_office:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_office_for_mac:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0901
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2020-1015

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to trick the victim to visit a specially crafted website or open a file.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.