CVE-2018-8539

Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2018-8539 is fixed in 4 products on 1 platform, first by KB3114565, released November 13, 2018. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

High
CVSS
n/a
Important
Exploitation
None reported
N/A
CISA KEV
Not listed
Not in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
EPSS
0.1906
97th percentile

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles files in memory.</p>

Where it's fixed

ProductFixed inFixReleased
Microsoft
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) KB3114565 Nov 13, 2018
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) KB3114565 Nov 13, 2018
Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010 Service Pack 2 KB4461527 Nov 13, 2018
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 2 KB4461520 Nov 13, 2018