Top 20 Most Exploited Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Products: A Comprehensive Analysis
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities is paramount for organizations aiming to protect their digital assets. Recent research by Qualys has shed light on the top 20 most exploited vulnerabilities, revealing a significant focus on Microsoft’s suite of products. This analysis underscores the critical need for proactive security measures and timely patch management.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
Cyber attackers continually seek out weaknesses in widely used software to deploy malware, steal sensitive information, or disrupt services. Microsoft’s extensive market presence makes its products prime targets for such malicious activities. The following vulnerabilities have been identified as the most exploited, highlighting areas where organizations should concentrate their defensive efforts.
1. CVE-2017-11882: Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability
– Description: This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting memory corruption in Microsoft Office.
– Exploitation Timeline: Active exploitation observed in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, totaling 79 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 110308.
2. CVE-2017-0199: Microsoft WordPad Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
– Description: Enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted files in WordPad.
– Exploitation Timeline: Noted in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023, with 59 occurrences.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 110297.
3. CVE-2012-0158: Windows Common Controls Remote Code Execution
– Description: A vulnerability in Windows Common Controls that could allow remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Reported in 2013, 2020, 2021, and 2023, totaling 33 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 90793.
4. CVE-2017-8570: Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
– Description: Allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via specially crafted Office files.
– Exploitation Timeline: Observed in 2018, 2020, and 2023, with 25 occurrences.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 110300.
5. CVE-2020-1472: Zerologon – Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
– Description: An unauthenticated privilege escalation flaw that grants attackers full domain privileges.
– Exploitation Timeline: Active in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, totaling 56 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 91680.
6. CVE-2017-0144, CVE-2017-0145, CVE-2017-0143: Windows SMBv1 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities
– Description: Exploits in the SMBv1 protocol, notably used in WannaCry and Petya ransomware attacks.
– Exploitation Timeline: Reported in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023, with 50 occurrences.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 91361, 91360, 91359, 91345.
7. CVE-2012-1723: Java Applet Remote Code Execution
– Description: A vulnerability in Java Applet allowing remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Noted in 2023, with 6 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 120274.
8. CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207: Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution (ProxyShell)
– Description: A series of vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server enabling remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Active in 2021, 2022, and 2023, totaling 39 instances.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 50114, 50111, 50112.
9. CVE-2019-11510: Pulse Secure SSL VPN Unauthenticated Path Traversal
– Description: Allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files, leading to credential theft.
– Exploitation Timeline: Reported in 2019, 2020, and 2023, with 53 occurrences.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 38771.
10. CVE-2021-44228: Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
– Description: A critical flaw in Apache Log4j library allowing remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Observed in 2021, 2022, and 2023, totaling 77 instances.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 376157, 730297.
11. CVE-2014-6271: Shellshock – Linux Bash Vulnerability
– Description: A vulnerability in Bash allowing remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Active in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, with 70 occurrences.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 122693, 13038, 150134.
12. CVE-2018-8174: Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
– Description: Allows remote code execution via the VBScript engine.
– Exploitation Timeline: Reported in 2018, 2020, and 2023, with 30 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 91447.
13. CVE-2013-0074: Microsoft Silverlight Remote Code Execution
– Description: A vulnerability in Microsoft Silverlight that could allow remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Noted in 2023, with 8 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 90870.
14. CVE-2012-0507: Oracle Java SE Remote Java Runtime Environment Vulnerability
– Description: A flaw in Oracle Java SE allowing remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Reported in 2023, with 10 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 119956.
15. CVE-2019-19781: Citrix ADC and Citrix Gateway Remote Code Execution
– Description: A vulnerability in Citrix products allowing remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Active in 2020, 2022, and 2023, totaling 60 instances.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 372305, 150273.
16. CVE-2018-0802: Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability
– Description: Allows remote code execution due to memory corruption in Office.
– Exploitation Timeline: Observed in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with 19 instances.
– Detection Identifier: Qualys QID 110310.
17. CVE-2021-26855: Microsoft Exchange Server Authentication Bypass
– Description: An authentication bypass vulnerability in Exchange Server leading to remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Reported in 2021 and 2023, with 46 occurrences.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 50107, 50108.
18. CVE-2019-2725: Oracle WebLogic Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution
– Description: A flaw in Oracle WebLogic allowing unauthenticated remote code execution.
– Exploitation Timeline: Active in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023, totaling 53 instances.
– Detection Identifiers: Qualys QIDs 150267, 87386.
19. CVE-2018-13379: Fortinet FortiGate SSL VPN Path Traversal
– Description: Allows unauthenticated attackers to download system files via SSL VPN.
– Exploitation Timeline: Observed in 202
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