high
7.8
CWE
908 909
Advisory Published
Advisory Published
Updated

CVE-2020-16932: Microsoft Excel XLS File Parsing Uninitialized Variable 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 SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft Excel=2010-sp2
Microsoft Excel=2013-sp1
Microsoft Excel=2013-sp1
Microsoft Excel=2016
Microsoft Office=2019
Microsoft Office Online Server=1.0
Microsoft Office Web Apps=2013-sp1

Remedy

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16932

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Reference Links

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is CVE-2020-16932?

    CVE-2020-16932 is a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Excel.

  • How can this vulnerability be exploited?

    To exploit CVE-2020-16932, user interaction is required, which means the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

  • What software is affected by CVE-2020-16932?

    The affected software includes Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021, Microsoft Excel 2010 SP2, Microsoft Excel 2013 SP1, Microsoft Excel 2016, Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft Office Online Server 1.0, and Microsoft Office Web Apps 2013 SP1.

  • What is the severity of CVE-2020-16932?

    The severity of CVE-2020-16932 is high with a CVSSv3 score of 7.8.

  • How can I mitigate CVE-2020-16932?

    To mitigate CVE-2020-16932, it is recommended to update to the latest version of Microsoft Excel and follow the guidance provided by Microsoft.

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