A remote code execution vulnerability exists due to the way the Windows Graphics Component handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability 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.
There are multiple ways an attacker could exploit the vulnerability:
Note that for affected Microsoft Office products, the Preview Pane is an attack vector.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Graphics Component handles objects in the memory.