A Security Update has been released for Outlook 2016. It resolves the following vulnerabilities;
- CVE-2020-1483: Microsoft Outlook Memory Corruption Vulnerability
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Outlook when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Outlook software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file.
Note that the Preview Pane is an attack vector for this vulnerability.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Outlook handles files in memory. - CVE-2020-1493: Microsoft Outlook Information Disclosure Vulnerability
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when attaching files to Outlook messages. This vulnerability could potentially allow users to share attached files such that they are accessible by anonymous users where they should be restricted to specific users.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to attach a file as a link to an email. The email could then be shared with individuals that should not have access to the files, ignoring the default organizational setting.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Outlook handles file attachment links.
This update contains 2 additional fixes or improvements for non-security issues;
- Fixes an issue that causes Outlook users to be unable to send a message as (or on behalf of) a hidden distribution list.
- Fixes an issue that causes the creation date of an attachment to be set to “January 1, 4501” if a user copies the attachment to the file system through a drag-and-drop action.
View: Download information for KB4484475
Note: This update can be installed via Microsoft Update and updates Outlook to version 16.0.5044.1000. This update does not apply to Perpetual and Office 365 based installations of Office 2016.
