Microsoft Office CVE-2016-0012 ASLR Security Bypass Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Office is prone to a security-bypass vulnerability. An attacker can leverage this issue to bypass certain security restrictions and execute arbitrary code by exploiting another vulnerability in the application.

Technologies Affected

• Microsoft Excel 2007 SP3
• Microsoft Excel 2010 SP2 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Excel 2010 SP2 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft Excel 2013 RT Service Pack 1
• Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft Excel 2016 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Excel 2016 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft Office 2007 SP3
• Microsoft Office 2010 (32-bit edition) SP2
• Microsoft Office 2010 (64-bit edition) SP2
• Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit edition)
• 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 Visio 2007 SP3
• Microsoft Visio 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Visio 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit edititions)
• Microsoft Visio 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Visio 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft Visio 2016 (32-bit edition)
• Microsoft Visio 2016 (64-bit edition)
• Microsoft Visual Basic Runtime 6.0
• Microsoft Word 2007 SP3
• Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft Word 2013 RT Service Pack 1
• Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
• Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)
• Microsoft Word 2016 (32-bit edition)
• Microsoft Word 2016 (64-bit edition)

Recommendations

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

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, run the application with the minimal amount of privileges required for functionality.

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. This includes but is not limited to unexplained incoming and outgoing traffic. This may indicate exploit attempts or activity that results from successful exploits.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Various memory-protection schemes (such as nonexecutable and randomly mapped memory segments) may hinder an attacker’s ability to exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.

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