CVE-2017-0261 Microsoft Office Use-After-Free
Attackers can execute arbitrary code by exploiting a use-after-free flaw in Microsoft Office memory handling.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 3 Mar 2022
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2017-0261?
CVE-2017-0261 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Microsoft Office, published on 12 May 2017. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Office 2013 SP1, and Office 2016 allow a remote code execution vulnerability when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0262 and CVE-2017-0281.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-0261?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Microsoft Office.
How do I fix CVE-2017-0261?
No fix has been published for CVE-2017-0261 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 24 Mar 2022.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2017-0261 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2017-0261 in the wild since at least 3 Mar 2022.
Public exploit code: 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office
Sources
Also known as GHSA-vxg6-wq4c-3428.