CVE-2020-16933

Microsoft Word Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Description

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>

7.0
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
CVSS 2.0 •
EPSS 2.09% Top 20%
Vendor Advisory microsoft.com
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2019
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Word 2016
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1
Affected: Microsoft Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2020-16933?
CVE-2020-16933 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2020-16933?
To fix CVE-2020-16933, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2020-16933 being actively exploited in the wild?
It is possible that CVE-2020-16933 is being exploited or will be exploited in a near future based on public information. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~2% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2020-16933?
CVE-2020-16933 affects Microsoft Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac, Microsoft Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Microsoft Word 2016, Microsoft Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac, Microsoft Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1, Microsoft Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 .
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