CVE-2017-11882 Will Never Die

SUMMARY :

The report discusses the persistent exploitation of CVE-2017-11882, a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft Office's Equation Editor. Despite being an old vulnerability, it continues to be used by attackers to spread modern malware. The analysis focuses on a malicious Excel file that exploits this vulnerability without using VBA macros. The file contains an obfuscated payload within an embedded object, which is identified as the Equation Editor exploit. Further investigation reveals that the malware downloads a VIPKeyLogger, a type of keylogger and stealer, with specific configuration details provided.

OPENCTI LABELS :

keylogger,exploit,obfuscation,cve-2017-11882,vipkeylogger,microsoft office,equation editor


AI COMMENTARY :

1. Introduction: CVE-2017-11882 Will Never Die is more than a catchy title—it is a stark reminder that even legacy flaws in ubiquitous software can remain viable attack vectors long after their discovery. Threat actors continue to weaponize this remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Office’s Equation Editor, slipping malicious payloads past defenses that assume old exploits have been retired. The persistence of this exploit underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance and the need to revisit defenses against vulnerabilities once considered dormant.

2. Deep Dive into the Equation Editor Exploit: The root of this enduring threat lies in a weakness within Microsoft Office’s Equation Editor component. Equation Editor functions by parsing specially crafted objects embedded within Office documents. By abusing its parsing logic, attackers craft objects that trigger unintended memory operations, culminating in arbitrary code execution on the victim’s machine. Despite patches released in late 2017, threat actors demonstrate that unpatched systems or inadequate mitigations still provide fertile ground for exploitation.

3. Anatomy of the Malicious Excel File: A recent incident involved a cleverly disguised Excel file that bypassed macro-based detection by avoiding VBA entirely. Instead, the attacker embedded an obfuscated Equation Editor object directly into the spreadsheet. This embedded object serves as the execution vehicle, unpacking a hidden payload once the document is opened. Security analysts identified the signature of the exploit in the file structure, confirming that CVE-2017-11882 remains the delivery mechanism for modern threats.

4. Obfuscation Techniques Employed: To evade static scanners and sandbox environments, the payload within the embedded object undergoes multiple layers of obfuscation. The exploit code is interleaved with benign-looking data segments, and decryption routines are split across noncontiguous memory regions. These measures defeat naive unpacking attempts and complicate reverse engineering. By the time the final payload emerges from its obfuscated shell, traditional heuristics have often already deemed the document harmless.

5. VIPKeyLogger Download and Configuration: Once code execution is achieved, the malicious Excel file initiates a download of VIPKeyLogger, a sophisticated keylogger and credential stealer. VIPKeyLogger deploys a configuration file specifying targets such as browser credential storage paths and clipboard monitoring intervals. The stealer exfiltrates maliciously captured data to remote servers under the attacker’s control. Detailed forensic analysis of network traffic patterns reveals the unique indicators of compromise associated with VIPKeyLogger communications.

6. Implications and Mitigation Strategies: The ongoing abuse of cve-2017-11882 highlights the urgency for defenders to adopt a layered security approach. Patching remains the first line of defense, but it must be complemented by behavior-based detection that identifies exploit patterns and traces of obfuscation. Disabling legacy components like the Equation Editor when not required can remove the attack surface altogether. Continuous monitoring for indicators tied to vipkeylogger and related keylogger activity ensures rapid response to any signs of compromise. By blending proactive hardening with reactive threat intelligence, organizations can finally consign this tenacious exploit to history.


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CVE-2017-11882 Will Never Die