Microsoft (MAU) Office Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Security Vulnerability

Released: Aug 14, 2018

Assigning CNA
Microsoft
CVE.org link
CVE-2018-8412

Executive Summary

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) application for Mac improperly validates updates before executing them. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability who already has the ability to execute code on a system could elevate privileges.

To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker could place a crafted executable in a specific location used by the update application to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context.

This update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring that MAU for Mac properly validates packages prior to installing them.

Exploitability

The following table provides an exploitability assessment for this vulnerability at the time of original publication.

Publicly disclosed
No
Exploited
No
Exploitability assessment
Exploitation Less Likely

Acknowledgements

  • CodeColorist from AntFinancial LightYear Security Lab
Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgements for more information.

Security Updates

To determine the support lifecycle for your software, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Release date Descending

Disclaimer

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Revisions

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