Microsoft Windows PDF CVE-2017-0292 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Windows 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 Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1511 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1511 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1703 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1703 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016
• 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

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 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 use client software to access unknown or untrusted hosts from critical systems.
Due to the nature of this issue, avoid using the client application to connect to unknown or untrusted hosts.

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 exploits of memory-corruption vulnerabilities.

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