CVE-2019-0541

Microsoft MSHTML: Remote Code Execution

As of , CVE-2019-0541 in Microsoft MSHTML is on CISA's list of exploited vulnerabilities: CISA listed it on . Our patch-first group: Patch this week.

Exploited
Yes: CISA listed it on 3 November 2021
US federal deadline
3 May 2022181 days after CISA listed it. US federal civilian agencies must fix it by then.
Used in ransomware campaigns
Not known to CISA
EPSS score
0.53Higher than 98% of the CVEs EPSS scores. EPSS estimates the chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days.
EPSS when listed
Not availableCISA listed it before 4 February 2022, where the EPSS files we read begin.
Public exploit
1 Exploit-DB entry
Fix
No vendor link in CISA's entry

What CISA says to do

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA's required action

What the flaw is

Microsoft MSHTML engine contains an improper input validation vulnerability that allows for remote code execution vulnerability.

CISA's description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the MSHTML engine inproperly validates input, aka "MSHTML Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office Word Viewer, Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Excel Viewer, Internet Explorer 10, Office 365 ProPlus.

The CVE record's description, from microsoft

CVE published
8 January 2019
Assigned by
microsoft
CVSS
8.8 High (CVSS 3.1, from CISA-ADP)
CWE-77
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
CISA SSVC, exploitation
active
CISA SSVC, automatable
no
CISA SSVC, technical impact
total

Timeline

  1. The CVE record was published.
  2. Exploit-DB published an exploit (EDB-ID 46536).
  3. CISA added it to its list of exploited vulnerabilities.
  4. The US federal deadline to fix it.

Public exploits

Facts from Metasploit's module list and Exploit-DB's index; we never copy exploit code.

MSHTML: other exploited entries

VulnerabilityProductOur groupListedDeadlineEPSS
CVE-2021-40444Remote Code ExecutionMicrosoft MSHTMLPatch this weekRansomware use; Metasploit module; EPSS 0.970.97

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