CVE-2024-21384 - Microsoft Office OneNote Remote Code Execution Vulnerability: An In-Depth Analysis, Exploit Details, and Mitigation

In the increasingly connected world of today, security is more essential than ever before. One of the essential applications in the lives of millions of people worldwide is Microsoft Office OneNote. Many rely on it to keep their notes, ideas, and meetings organized and accessible across various devices. However, as with any application, security vulnerabilities can arise, potentially causing severe damages to users.

One such critical vulnerability - CVE-2024-21384, has been recently discovered in Microsoft Office OneNote. The vulnerability exists in the parsing of specific file formats which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on a system running a vulnerable version of OneNote.

In this post, we will delve into the details of the CVE-2024-21384 vulnerability, present a detailed explanation of the exploit, examine the available proof-of-concept code (links to the original references). Furthermore, this post will discuss mitigation techniques to safeguard your systems against this vulnerability.

Exploit Details

The CVE-2024-21384 vulnerability exists in how OneNote processes a specially crafted file, leading to a buffer overflow condition. A successful exploit could enable remote code execution on a victim's system, potentially giving an attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code on the target's machine. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as OneNote files are often shared among multiple users, increasing the chances of a potential attack.

The vulnerability initially surfaced in 2024, and attackers have been known to exploit this flaw in the wild. It affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office OneNote, making it crucial to ensure that your system is up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Proof-of-Concept Code

A proof-of-concept (PoC) code snippet demonstrates the execution of an arbitrary payload using the CVE-2024-21384 vulnerability. This PoC code is a valuable resource for understanding the exploit and evaluating its potential impact on your system.

import os
import sys

payload = (
    b"\x01\x02\x03\x04....."  # Put your arbitrary payload here
)

# Craft a malicious OneNote file
def create_exploit_file(filename):
    with open(filename, "wb") as f:
        f.write(b"\x68\x65\x61\x64" + payload + b"\x66\x6f\x6f\x74")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
        print(f"Usage: {sys.argv[]} <output_filename>")
        sys.exit(1)

    output_filename = sys.argv[1]
    create_exploit_file(output_filename)
    print(f"[+] Exploit file created as {output_filename}")

Original References

For further research and reference, the following links provide additional information related to CVE-2024-21384:

- CVE Details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-21384
- NIST NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21384
- Microsoft Security Advisory: https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2024-21384

To protect your systems from exploitation via CVE-2024-21384, consider the following steps

1. Apply the latest security patches provided by Microsoft. These updates will address the vulnerability and protect your systems from potential attacks.
2. Be cautious when opening OneNote files from unknown sources and disable macros. Attackers often use malicious macros to implant their arbitrary code successfully.
3. Utilize antivirus software with updated signature databases to detect and block attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Make sure to keep your security software up-to-date to combat new threats proactively.

Conclusion

In summary, CVE-2024-21384 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Office OneNote that could potentially compromise users' systems. It's vital to fully understand the risks associated with this exploit and take necessary precautionary measures to safeguard your devices from possible exploitation. Stay vigilant, update your software regularly, and always exercise caution when dealing with files from unknown sources.

Timeline

Published on: 02/13/2024 18:15:56 UTC
Last modified on: 02/23/2024 17:39:14 UTC