cbcvebase.
CVE-2024-38189
published 2024-08-13

CVE-2024-38189: Microsoft Project Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

PriorityP184high8.8CVSS 3.1
AVNACLPRNUIRSUCHIHAH
KEVITW
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilitydue 2024-09-03
Exploited in the wild
EPSS
7.87%
94.0th percentile
Microsoft Project Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Affected

13 ranges
VendorProductVersion rangeFixed in
microsoftmicrosoft_365_apps_for_enterprise>= 16.0.1 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleaseshttps://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
microsoftmicrosoft_office_2019>= 19.0.0 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleaseshttps://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
microsoftmicrosoft_office_ltsc_2021>= 16.0.1 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleaseshttps://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
microsoftmicrosoft_project_2016>= 16.0.0.0 < 16.0.5461.100116.0.5461.1001
microsoftoffice_long_term_servicing_channel
microsoftproject_2016< 16.0.5461.100116.0.5461.1001
msrcmicrosoft_365_apps_for_enterprise_for_32-bit_systems
msrcmicrosoft_365_apps_for_enterprise_for_64-bit_systems
msrcmicrosoft_office_2019_for_32-bit_editions
msrcmicrosoft_office_2019_for_64-bit_editions
msrcmicrosoft_office_ltsc_2021_for_32-bit_editions
msrcmicrosoft_office_ltsc_2021_for_64-bit_editions
msrcmicrosoft_project_2016

Detection & IOCsextracted from sources · hover to see the quote

  • Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious Microsoft Office Project file on a system where the 'Block macros from running in Office files from the Internet' policy is disabled AND VBA Macro Notification Settings are not enabled — detect opening of .mpp or Office Project files sourced from the internet on systems with these policies disabled
  • Monitor for VBA macro execution spawned from Microsoft Project (winproj.exe) processes, especially where the parent process involves files downloaded from the internet (Mark-of-the-Web bypass context)
  • Alert on CVE-2024-38189 exploitation attempts: this vulnerability is confirmed actively exploited in the wild (Exploit Status: Exploited:Yes, Latest Software Release: Exploitation Detected)
  • In email attack scenarios, watch for spearphishing emails delivering Microsoft Office Project files (.mpp) as attachments with social engineering lures to open them
  • In web-based attack scenarios, monitor for Microsoft Project files downloaded from external/untrusted websites, particularly where the site hosts user-provided content
  • ·Exploitation only succeeds when BOTH the 'Block macros from running in Office files from the Internet' policy is disabled AND VBA Macro Notification Settings are not enabled; systems with either control properly configured are protected
  • ·The Preview Pane is NOT an attack vector; user must actively open the malicious file for exploitation to occur
  • ·As a mitigation alternative to patching, enabling VBA Macro Notification Settings can protect systems even if the 'Block macros from internet' policy remains disabled

CVSS provenance

nvdv3.18.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vulncheck8.8HIGH
cisa8.8HIGH
vendor_msrc8.8HIGH
CVEs like this are exactly what “Exploited This Week” covers.

Every Monday: what got weaponized or added to CISA KEV in the last seven days — each CVE cross-linked to its PoC, Nuclei template, and detection rule. Free, one email a week, unsubscribe in one click.