Security Feature Bypass in Microsoft Word

1) Security Features

EUVDB-ID: #VU47611

Risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-16933

CWE-ID: CWE-254 - Security Features

Exploit availability: No

Description

This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass security rescritions feature.

The vulnerability exists due to the Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. A remote attacker can trick a victim to open a specially crafted file or visit a malicious webpage and perform actions in the security context of the current user.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Microsoft Office: 2019 for Mac - 2019

Microsoft Word: 2010 - 2016

Microsoft Office for Mac: 2016

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_office:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_word:*:*:*:*:*:microsoft_office:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_word:2013_RT_Service_Pack_1:*:*:*:*:microsoft_office:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_word:2013_Service_Pack_1:*:*:*:*:microsoft_office:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_word:*:*:*:*:*: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-2020-16933

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.