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  3. CVE-2020-8468
Exploited in the wildComputers & everyday appsCould reach you

CVE-2020-8468 Trend Micro Apex One, OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security Agents: 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

  1. Install Trend Micro's security update for Apex One, OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security Agents. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
  2. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
  3. Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
  4. 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
Trend Micro Multiple Products Content Validation Escape Vulnerability
Product
Trend Micro Apex One, OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security Agents
CISA description
Trend Micro Apex One, OfficeScan, and Worry-Free Business Security agents contain a content validation escape vulnerability that could allow an attacker to manipulate certain agent client components.
Type of flaw
Command or code injection (CWE-74)
Confirmed exploited
Nov 3, 2021
US federal patch deadline
May 3, 2022

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Answering about CVE-2020-8468 ·

Questions about CVE-2020-8468

Is CVE-2020-8468 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-8468 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 3, 2021, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8468?

Install Trend Micro's security update for Apex One, OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security Agents. 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-2020-8468?

Only if you use Trend Micro Apex One, OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security Agents. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

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