Remote Code Execution – How Dangerous it is

Remote code execution is the ability for an attacker to access someone else’s computing device and make changes, no matter where the device is geographically located. The vulnerabilities can provide an attacker with the ability to execute malicious code and take full control of an affected system with the privileges of the user running the application. After gaining access to the system, attackers will often attempt to elevate your privileges.

Example of a remote code execution vulnerability

An example of this vulnerabilitys is the CVE-2018-8248 vulnerability – one of the security vulnerabilities fixed by Microsoft in their June 12th security update. The CVE-2018-8248 vulnerability, also known as the “Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability”, allows an attacker to run malware on the vulnerable computer.

The attacker CVE-2018-8248 could take full control of the compromised computer if the owner of the compromised computer logs into the computer with administrative user rights. By taking full control of the compromised computer, the attacker could view, change, or delete data; install programs; or create new accounts with all user rights.

The best way to protect a computer from a this vulnerabilitys is to fix the holes that allow an attacker to gain access. Microsoft often releases security patches that address remote code execution vulnerabilities in its monthly fixes on Patch Tuesday.

If you have a company, you should apply as a general rule, to significantly minimize risk, your company should collect, analyze and act on the latest threat intelligence. Your IT team should be equipped with the best tool to apply patches on time, thus mitigating the risk of a data breach. Better yet, workstation and server patching can and should be automated to prevent remote code execution and other cyberattacks.

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