CVE-2020-1503 : Security Advisory and Response

Microsoft Word Information Disclosure Vulnerability was published on August 17, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various Microsoft products, including SharePoint, Office, and Word.

Understanding CVE-2020-1503

This CVE identifies an information disclosure vulnerability in Microsoft Word.

What is CVE-2020-1503?

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access the contents of Word's memory, potentially compromising user data or systems. By crafting a malicious document and convincing a user to open it, an attacker could gain access to sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1503

The vulnerability is classified as Remote Code Execution, indicating its severe impact on system security.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1503

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Microsoft Word's improper memory handling leads to information disclosure, providing attackers with the means to compromise user systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, 2013
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019
Microsoft Office 2019, Office 365, Word 2016
Microsoft Word 2010, 2013 Service Packs

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit, attackers craft special documents to reveal memory content and target specific memory address locations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Actions to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2020-1503.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply Microsoft's update addressing memory handling in Word function
Be cautious while opening Word documents, especially from unknown sources

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Microsoft products for security patches
Educate users on recognizing and avoiding suspicious files

Patching and Updates

Stay informed on security releases and promptly apply patches.