Code Injection in Microsoft products - CVE-2021-40444
Published: September 7, 2021 / Updated: December 19, 2021
Vulnerability identifier: #VU56377
CSH Severity: Critical
CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Red
CVE-ID: CVE-2021-40444
CWE-ID: CWE-94
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild
Vendor: Microsoft
Affected software:
Windows
Windows Server
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Windows
Windows Server
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Detailed vulnerability description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation within the MSHTML component. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Office document with a malicious ActiveX control inside, trick the victim into opening the document and execute arbitrary code on the system.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.
Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.
How to mitigate CVE-2021-40444
Install update from vendor's website.