CVE-2017-0199 Microsoft Office and WordPad: command or code injection
In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline May 3, 2022
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Office and WordPad. 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. Used in ransomware, which spreads to ordinary people and small businesses.
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 and WordPad Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Office and WordPad
- CISA description
- Microsoft Office and WordPad contain an unspecified vulnerability due to the way the applications parse specially crafted files. Successful exploitation allows for remote code execution.
- Type of flaw
- Command or code injection
- Confirmed exploited
- Nov 3, 2021 — known to be used in ransomware attacks
- US federal patch deadline
- May 3, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2017-0199 ·
Questions about CVE-2017-0199
Is CVE-2017-0199 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2017-0199 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 3, 2021, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks, including by ransomware groups.
How do I fix CVE-2017-0199?
Install Microsoft's security update for Office and WordPad. 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-2017-0199?
Only if you use Microsoft Office and WordPad. Used in ransomware, which spreads to ordinary people and small businesses.