CVE-2024-41165: Microsoft Word Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-41165 Overview

A library injection vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word 16.83 for macOS that allows attackers to bypass permission controls. A specially crafted library can leverage Word's access privileges, leading to a permission bypass. A malicious application could inject a library and start the program to trigger this vulnerability and then make use of the vulnerable application's permissions.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables attackers to hijack Microsoft Word's elevated permissions on macOS, potentially allowing unauthorized access to protected resources and sensitive data through library injection techniques.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Word 16.83 for macOS
• macOS systems running vulnerable versions of Microsoft Word

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-18 - CVE-2024-41165 published to NVD
• 2025-08-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-41165

Vulnerability Analysis

This library injection vulnerability (CWE-347: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature) affects Microsoft Word 16.83 for macOS. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of dynamically loaded libraries, allowing malicious code to be injected into the Word process context.

When exploited, an attacker can leverage Microsoft Word's existing permissions and entitlements on macOS. This is particularly dangerous as Word typically has access to user documents, contacts, and other sensitive data protected by macOS privacy controls. The attack requires local access to execute a malicious application that performs the library injection.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper verification of cryptographic signatures when loading libraries. Microsoft Word fails to adequately validate that loaded libraries are properly signed and authorized, allowing unsigned or maliciously signed code to be loaded into the application's process space. This enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within Word's security context.

Attack Vector

The attack requires a malicious application to be present on the target macOS system. The attack flow involves:

1. An attacker creates a specially crafted library containing malicious code
2. The malicious application injects this library into Microsoft Word's process
3. Upon loading, the injected library inherits Word's permissions and entitlements
4. The attacker can then leverage Word's access to protected resources, bypassing macOS permission prompts

This vulnerability is exploited via network attack vector, though local presence of the malicious application is required. The attack complexity is low and requires no user interaction or special privileges to execute.

The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass macOS Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) protections by riding on Word's already-granted permissions. For detailed technical information, see the Talos Intelligence Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-41165

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected libraries loaded into Microsoft Word process space on macOS
• Unusual child processes spawned by Microsoft Word
• Anomalous network connections originating from Word when not expected
• Unauthorized file access patterns from the Word application

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for dylib injection attempts targeting Microsoft Word using macOS system extensions
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized library loading
• Use endpoint detection tools to monitor for suspicious process injection behavior
• Enable enhanced logging for macOS processes to capture library loading events

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure macOS Unified Logging to capture dynamic library loading events for Microsoft Office applications
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with library injection detection capabilities
• Monitor process execution chains for unusual parent-child relationships involving Word
• Alert on unauthorized modifications to Microsoft Word's application bundle or library paths

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-41165

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Microsoft Word for macOS to the latest available version from Microsoft
• Review macOS security settings and ensure Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) are enabled
• Audit installed applications for unauthorized or potentially malicious software
• Implement application control policies to restrict library loading

Patch Information

Microsoft has been notified of this vulnerability through the Talos responsible disclosure process. Organizations should monitor Microsoft's security advisories and apply patches as they become available. Check Microsoft's official security update channels for the latest remediation guidance.

For additional technical details and updates, refer to the Talos Intelligence Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Enable macOS System Integrity Protection (SIP) if not already active to provide baseline protection against code injection
• Run Microsoft Word with minimal permissions where possible and review TCC permissions granted to the application
• Implement strict application whitelisting policies on enterprise macOS systems
• Consider using Microsoft Word in a sandboxed environment until patches are available