Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2018-0940 Remote Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Exchange Server is prone to a remote privilege-escalation vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this issue to gain elevated privileges.

Technologies Affected

• Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP3 Update Rollup 20
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 18
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 19
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 SP1
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 7
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 8

Recommendations

Block external access at the network boundary, unless external parties require service.
Filter access to the affected computer at the network boundary if global access isn’t needed. Restricting access to only trusted computers and networks might greatly reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, always run nonadministrative software as an unprivileged 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 anomalous or suspicious activity such as unexplained incoming and outgoing traffic. This may indicate exploit attempts or activity that results from successful exploits.

Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
Web users should be cautious about following links to sites that are provided by unfamiliar or suspicious sources. Filtering HTML from emails may help remove a possible vector for transmitting malicious links to users.

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