CVE-2019-1205

Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Critical · published August 14, 2019

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
4%
Percentile
90.4
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 One crafty email could grant an attacker full access to your system! This remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Word lets malicious files take action on your behalf, like a mischievous magician pulling the strings from behind the curtain! 🔥 Think of it like a friendly café where you trust the barista to serve you the perfect drink. Now, imagine if someone swapped the menu with a hidden poison recipe. Opening a crafted file is like ordering from that dangerous menu, putting your safety in jeopardy! If exploited, an attacker could perform any action in the security context of the current user, potentially accessing sensitive data, altering files, or even installing malicious software. This vulnerability is critically severe, and the potential for chaos is absolutely devastating! Your system could effectively become a puppet under the attacker's control!

Put simply

Think of it like a friendly café where you trust the barista to serve you the perfect drink. Now, imagine if someone swapped the menu with a hidden poison recipe. Opening a crafted file is like ordering from that dangerous menu, putting your safety in jeopardy! This vulnerability arises when Microsoft Word mishandles objects in memory, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening specially crafted files via email or compromised websites.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could perform any action in the security context of the current user, potentially accessing sensitive data, altering files, or even installing malicious software. This vulnerability is critically severe, and the potential for chaos is absolutely devastating! Your system could effectively become a puppet under the attacker's control! To protect yourself, immediately apply the latest security update from Microsoft to patch this vulnerability. If you use Outlook, consider disabling the Preview Pane feature by modifying the registry keys listed in Microsoft's guidance. Be cautious when handling email attachments and avoid clicking on suspicious links. 🔒 You've got this! Follow these steps diligently, and you'll bolster your defenses against this vulnerability! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.03968 · 90.4th percentile
Published
2019-08-14T20:55Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 14 AUG 20:55Z
    Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
    cvelistv5