Microsoft PowerPoint CVE-2017-8742 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft PowerPoint is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability. An attacker can leverage this issue to execute arbitrary code in the context of the currently logged-in user. Failed exploit attempts will likely result in denial of service conditions.

Technologies Affected

• Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3
• Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010 SP2
• Microsoft Office Web Apps Server 2013 SP1
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 SP3
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 RT Service Pack 1
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 (32-bit edition)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 (64-bit edition)
• Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 2007
• Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016
• Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 SP1

Recommendations

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To mitigate the impact of a successful exploit, run the affected application as a user with minimal access rights.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for signs of suspicious or anomalous activity. This may help detect malicious actions that an attacker may take after successfully exploiting vulnerabilities in applications. Review all applicable logs regularly.

Do not accept or execute files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Never accept files from untrusted or unknown sources, because they may be malicious in nature. Avoid opening email attachments from unknown or questionable sources.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Since this issue may be leveraged to execute code, we recommend memory-protection schemes, such as nonexecutable stack/heap configurations and randomly mapped memory segments. This tactic may complicate exploit attempts of memory-corruption vulnerabilities.

Updates are available. Please see the references or vendor advisory for more information.