CVE-2020-1583
📋 TL;DR
This is a memory disclosure vulnerability in Microsoft Word where specially crafted documents can leak memory contents when opened. Attackers could use leaked information to further compromise systems. All users running vulnerable versions of Microsoft Word are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
📦 What is this software?
365 Apps by Microsoft
Office by Microsoft
Office by Microsoft
Office by Microsoft
Office by Microsoft
Office Web Apps by Microsoft
Office Web Apps by Microsoft
Word by Microsoft
Word by Microsoft
Word by Microsoft
Word by Microsoft
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Memory contents disclosure leads to credential theft, privilege escalation, or full system compromise through chained attacks.
Likely Case
Information disclosure that could reveal sensitive data or system information useful for targeted attacks.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper email filtering, user training, and security controls preventing malicious document execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires attacker to know specific memory address locations and social engineering to get user to open document.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: August 2020 security updates
Vendor Advisory: https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1583
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Microsoft Word. 2. Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. 3. Install available updates. 4. Restart computer if prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Word as email editor
windowsPrevents Word from automatically opening email attachments
In Outlook: File > Options > Mail > Uncheck 'Use Word as email editor'
Block Office macros
windowsPrevents execution of potentially malicious macros
Group Policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Office 2016 > Security Settings > Macro Security
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized Word documents
- Use email filtering to block suspicious Office attachments
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Word version: Open Word > File > Account > About Word. If version is before August 2020 updates, likely vulnerable.Check Version:
In Word: File > Account > About WordVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Word version shows August 2020 or later security updates installed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple Word crashes from same document
- Unusual memory access patterns in Word processes
Network Indicators:
- External connections after opening Word documents
- Unusual outbound data transfers
SIEM Query:
source="*word.exe" AND (event_id=1000 OR event_id=1001) AND document_name="*.doc*"