Use-after-free in Microsoft Office - CVE-2021-40481

Detailed vulnerability description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error when parsing WMF files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Microsoft Office Visio file, trick the victim into opening it, trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code on the system.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

How to mitigate CVE-2021-40481

Sources

• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40481
• https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1160/