Vulnerabilities > CVE-2020-0901 - Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerability in Microsoft 365 Apps and Office

047910
CVSS 7.5 - HIGH
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
PARTIAL
Integrity impact
PARTIAL
Availability impact
PARTIAL
network
low complexity
microsoft
CWE-119
nessus

Summary

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Excel software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Buffer Overflow via Environment Variables
    This attack pattern involves causing a buffer overflow through manipulation of environment variables. Once the attacker finds that they can modify an environment variable, they may try to overflow associated buffers. This attack leverages implicit trust often placed in environment variables.
  • Overflow Buffers
    Buffer Overflow attacks target improper or missing bounds checking on buffer operations, typically triggered by input injected by an attacker. As a consequence, an attacker is able to write past the boundaries of allocated buffer regions in memory, causing a program crash or potentially redirection of execution as per the attackers' choice.
  • Client-side Injection-induced Buffer Overflow
    This type of attack exploits a buffer overflow vulnerability in targeted client software through injection of malicious content from a custom-built hostile service.
  • Filter Failure through Buffer Overflow
    In this attack, the idea is to cause an active filter to fail by causing an oversized transaction. An attacker may try to feed overly long input strings to the program in an attempt to overwhelm the filter (by causing a buffer overflow) and hoping that the filter does not fail securely (i.e. the user input is let into the system unfiltered).
  • MIME Conversion
    An attacker exploits a weakness in the MIME conversion routine to cause a buffer overflow and gain control over the mail server machine. The MIME system is designed to allow various different information formats to be interpreted and sent via e-mail. Attack points exist when data are converted to MIME compatible format and back.

Nessus

  • NASL familyMacOS X Local Security Checks
    NASL idMACOS_MS20_MAY_OFFICE.NASL
    descriptionThe Microsoft Office application installed on the remote macOS or Mac OS X host is missing a security update. It is, therefore, affected by the following vulnerability: - A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Excel software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. (CVE-2020-0901)
    last seen2020-05-31
    modified2020-05-13
    plugin id136559
    published2020-05-13
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/136559
    titleSecurity Updates for Microsoft Office Products (May 2020) (macOS)
    code
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    
    
    
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from the Microsoft Security Updates API. The text
    # itself is copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.
    
    
    
    include('compat.inc');
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(136559);
      script_version("1.4");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/05/27");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2020-0901");
      script_xref(name:"IAVA", value:"2020-A-0199");
    
      script_name(english:"Security Updates for Microsoft Office Products (May 2020) (macOS)");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
    "An application installed on the remote macOS or Mac OS X host is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability.");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
    "The Microsoft Office application installed on the remote macOS or
    Mac OS X host is missing a security update. It is, therefore, 
    affected by the following vulnerability:
    
      - A remote code execution vulnerability exists in
        Microsoft Excel software when the software fails to
        properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who
        successfully exploited the vulnerability could run
        arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If
        the current user is logged on with administrative user
        rights, an attacker could take control of the affected
        system. An attacker could then install programs; view,
        change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full
        user rights.  (CVE-2020-0901)");
      # https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-office-for-mac
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?17ce16bb");
      # https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-office-2016-mac
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?dae26676");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
    "Microsoft has released a set of patches for Microsoft Office for Mac.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
      script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2020-0901");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2020/05/12");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2020/05/12");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2020/05/13");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:apple:mac_os_x");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:office");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:excel");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:word");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:powerpoint");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:outlook");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:onenote");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"stig_severity", value:"II");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_family(english:"MacOS X Local Security Checks");
    
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
    
      script_dependencies("macosx_office_installed.nbin");
      script_require_keys("Host/MacOSX/Version");
      script_require_ports("installed_sw/Microsoft Word", "installed_sw/Microsoft Excel", "installed_sw/Microsoft PowerPoint", "installed_sw/Microsoft OneNote", "installed_sw/Microsoft Outlook");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    include('audit.inc');
    include('global_settings.inc');
    include('misc_func.inc');
    include('install_func.inc');
    
    os = get_kb_item_or_exit('Host/MacOSX/Version');
    apps = make_list(
      'Microsoft Excel'
    );
    report = '';
    #2016
    min_ver_16 = '16';
    fix_ver_16 = '16.16.22';
    fix_disp_16 = '16.16.22 (20050901)';
    #2019
    min_ver_19 = '16.17.0';
    fix_ver_19 = '16.37';
    fix_disp_19 = '16.37 (20051002)';
    foreach app (apps)
    {
      installs = get_installs(app_name:app);
      if (isnull(installs[1]))
        continue;
      foreach install (installs[1])
      {
        version = install['version'];
        if (ver_compare(ver:version, minver:min_ver_19, fix:fix_ver_19, strict:FALSE) < 0)
        {
          app_label = app + ' for Mac 2019';
          report +=
            '\n\n  Product           : ' + app_label +
            '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
            '\n  Fixed version     : ' + fix_disp_19;
        }
        else if (ver_compare(ver:version, minver:min_ver_16, fix:fix_ver_16, strict:FALSE) < 0)
        {
          app_label = app + ' for Mac 2016';
          report +=
            '\n\n  Product           : ' + app_label +
            '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
            '\n  Fixed version     : ' + fix_disp_16;
        }
      }
    }
    if (empty(report))
      audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
    if (os =~ "^Mac OS X 10\.[0-9](\.|$)")
      report += '\n  Note              : Update will require Mac OS X 10.10.0 or later.\n';
    security_report_v4(severity:SECURITY_HOLE, port:0, extra:report);
    
  • NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
    NASL idSMB_NT_MS20_MAY_EXCEL.NASL
    descriptionThe Microsoft Excel Products are missing a security update. It is, therefore, affected by the following vulnerability : - A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Excel software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. (CVE-2020-0901)
    last seen2020-05-31
    modified2020-05-12
    plugin id136511
    published2020-05-12
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/136511
    titleSecurity Updates for Microsoft Excel Products (May 2020)
    code
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    
    
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from the Microsoft Security Updates API. The text
    # itself is copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.
    #
    
    
    include('compat.inc');
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(136511);
      script_version("1.6");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/05/27");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2020-0901");
      script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"4484365");
      script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"4484384");
      script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"4484338");
      script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS20-4484365");
      script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS20-4484384");
      script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS20-4484338");
      script_xref(name:"IAVA", value:"2020-A-0199");
    
      script_name(english:"Security Updates for Microsoft Excel Products (May 2020)");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
    "The Microsoft Excel Products are missing a security update.");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
    "The Microsoft Excel Products are missing a security update.
    It is, therefore, affected by the following vulnerability :
    
      - A remote code execution vulnerability exists in
        Microsoft Excel software when the software fails to
        properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who
        successfully exploited the vulnerability could run
        arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If
        the current user is logged on with administrative user
        rights, an attacker could take control of the affected
        system. An attacker could then install programs; view,
        change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full
        user rights.  (CVE-2020-0901)");
      # https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4484365/security-update-for-excel-2013-may-12-2020
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?f5c82e2d");
      # https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4484384/security-update-for-excel-2010-may-12-2020
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?78e971c1");
      # https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4484338/security-update-for-excel-2016-may-12-2020
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?50b5bb3a");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
    "Microsoft has released the following security updates to address this issue:  
      -KB4484365
      -KB4484384
      -KB4484338
    
    For Office 365, Office 2016 C2R, or Office 2019, ensure automatic
    updates are enabled or open any office app and manually perform an
    update.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
      script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2020-0901");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2020/05/12");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2020/05/12");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2020/05/12");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:excel");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"stig_severity", value:"II");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_family(english:"Windows : Microsoft Bulletins");
    
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
    
      script_dependencies("office_installed.nasl", "microsoft_office_compatibility_pack_installed.nbin", "smb_hotfixes.nasl", "ms_bulletin_checks_possible.nasl");
      script_require_keys("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");
      script_require_ports(139, 445, "Host/patch_management_checks");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    include('smb_func.inc');
    include('smb_hotfixes.inc');
    include('smb_hotfixes_fcheck.inc');
    include('smb_reg_query.inc');
    include('install_func.inc');
    
    global_var vuln;
    
    get_kb_item_or_exit('SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible');
    
    bulletin = 'MS20-05';
    kbs = make_list(
      '4484365',
      '4484384',
      '4484338'
    );
    
    if (get_kb_item('Host/patch_management_checks'))
      hotfix_check_3rd_party(bulletin:bulletin, kbs:kbs, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);
    
    get_kb_item_or_exit('SMB/Registry/Enumerated', exit_code:1);
    
    port = kb_smb_transport();
    
    checks = make_array(
      '14.0', make_array('sp', 2, 'version', '14.0.7249.5000', 'kb', '4484384'),
      '15.0', make_array('sp', 1, 'version', '15.0.5241.1000', 'kb', '4484365'),
      '16.0', make_nested_list(make_array('sp', 0, 'version', '16.0.5005.1000', 'channel', 'MSI', 'kb', '4484338'),
        make_array('sp', 0, 'version', '16.0.4993.1001', 'channel', 'MSI', 'kb', '4484338'),
        # C2R
        make_array('version', '16.0.11328.20586', 'channel', 'Deferred'),
        make_array('version', '16.0.11929.20776', 'channel', 'Deferred', 'channel_version', '1908'),
        make_array('version', '16.0.12527.20612', 'channel', 'First Release for Deferred'),
      #  make_array('version', '16.0.12624.20588', 'channel', 'Enterprise Deferred'),
        make_array('version', '16.0.12730.20270', 'channel', 'Current'),
        # 2019
        make_array('version', '16.0.12730.20270', 'channel', '2019 Retail'),
        make_array('version', '16.0.10359.20023', 'channel', '2019 Volume')
        )
      );
    
    if (hotfix_check_office_product(product:'Excel', checks:checks, bulletin:bulletin))
    {
      replace_kb_item(name:'SMB/Missing/'+bulletin, value:TRUE);
      hotfix_security_hole();
      hotfix_check_fversion_end();
      exit(0);
    }
    else
    {
      hotfix_check_fversion_end();
      audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
    }
    

Talos

idTALOS-2020-1015
last seen2020-05-23
published2020-05-12
reporterTalos Intelligence
sourcehttp://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2020-1015
titleMicrosoft Office Excel s_Schema Code Execution Vulnerability