CVE-2020-16929: Microsoft Excel XLS File Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
First published: Fri Oct 16 2020(Updated: )
<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Excel software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.</p> <p>Exploitation of the vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Excel. 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) containing a specially crafted file designed to exploit the vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or instant message, and then convince them to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Excel handles objects in memory.</p>
Credit: secure@microsoft.com secure@microsoft.com
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Excel | ||
| Microsoft 365 Apps | ||
| Microsoft Excel | =2010-sp2 | |
| Microsoft Excel | =2013-sp1 | |
| Microsoft Excel | =2013-sp1 | |
| Microsoft Excel | =2016 | |
| Microsoft Excel Web App | =2010-sp2 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2010-sp2 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2013-sp1 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2013-sp1 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2016 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2016 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2019 | |
| Microsoft Office | =2019 | |
| Microsoft Office Online Server | =1.0 | |
| Microsoft Office Web Apps | =2010-sp2 | |
| Microsoft Office Web Apps | =2013-sp1 | |
| Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server | =2013-sp1 | |
| Microsoft SharePoint Server | =2010-sp2 |
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Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2020-16929?
CVE-2020-16929 is a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Excel.
How severe is CVE-2020-16929?
CVE-2020-16929 has a severity rating of 7.8 out of 10.
Which software versions are affected by CVE-2020-16929?
The vulnerability affects various versions of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, and Microsoft Office Web Apps.
How can CVE-2020-16929 be exploited?
To exploit CVE-2020-16929, the target must either visit a malicious page or open a malicious XLS file.
Where can I find more information about CVE-2020-16929?
You can find more information about CVE-2020-16929 on the Microsoft Security Response Center and Zero Day Initiative websites.
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