CVE-2015-1642 Microsoft Office: memory-safety flaw
In plain words: The program mishandles the memory it uses to keep track of data. A specially made input can scramble that memory. Usually lets an attacker crash the program or run their own code with its permissions.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Mar 24, 2022
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Office. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
- Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
- Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.
The details
- Official name
- Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- CISA description
- Microsoft Office contains a memory corruption vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted document.
- Type of flaw
- Memory-safety flaw (CWE-119)
- Confirmed exploited
- Mar 3, 2022
- US federal patch deadline
- Mar 24, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2015-1642 ·
Questions about CVE-2015-1642
Is CVE-2015-1642 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2015-1642 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Mar 3, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2015-1642?
Install Microsoft's security update for Office. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
Am I affected by CVE-2015-1642?
Only if you use Microsoft Office. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.