CVE-2024-43463
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Microsoft Office Visio allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems by tricking users into opening specially crafted files. It affects users running vulnerable versions of Visio on Windows systems. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microsoft Office Visio
📦 What is this software?
365 Apps by Microsoft
365 Apps by Microsoft
Office by Microsoft
Office by Microsoft
Office Long Term Servicing Channel by Microsoft
View all CVEs affecting Office Long Term Servicing Channel →
Office Long Term Servicing Channel by Microsoft
View all CVEs affecting Office Long Term Servicing Channel →
Visio by Microsoft
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining SYSTEM-level privileges, data exfiltration, ransomware deployment, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local user account compromise, data theft from the affected system, and potential malware installation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to application sandboxing, user account restrictions, and network segmentation preventing lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code available at disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Microsoft's monthly security updates for specific version numbers
Vendor Advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-43463
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Microsoft Office applications
2. Go to File > Account > Update Options
3. Select 'Update Now'
4. Restart computer when prompted
5. Alternatively, use Windows Update for system-wide Office updates
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Block Visio file extensions
windowsPrevent opening of Visio files via email or web downloads
Use Group Policy to block .vsd, .vsdx, .vss, .vssx, .vst, .vstx file extensions
Disable macro execution
windowsPrevent macro execution in Office documents
Set HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Visio\Security\VBAWarnings to 2
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized Visio execution
- Use Microsoft Office Viewer or sandboxed environments to open untrusted Visio files
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Visio version against Microsoft's security bulletin. Vulnerable if running unpatched version.Check Version:
In Visio: File > Account > About VisioVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Office updates are installed via Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > View installed updates📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs: Application crashes (Event ID 1000)
- Security logs: Process creation from Visio with suspicious parent processes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Visio process
- DNS queries to suspicious domains after Visio execution
SIEM Query:
source="windows" event_id=4688 process_name="VISIO.EXE" | stats count by parent_process_name