CVE-2023-32541 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the footerr functionality of Hancom Office 2020, specifically version HWord 11.0.0.7520. The vulnerability arises when the software processes a specially crafted .doc file containing malformed footer data, leading to the use of memory after it has been freed. This memory corruption can be exploited by an attacker who convinces a user to open the malicious document, resulting in arbitrary code execution within the context of the user. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication but does require user interaction (opening the file). The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8, indicating a high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the nature of use-after-free vulnerabilities often allows for reliable exploitation, making this a critical concern. The lack of an official patch or mitigation guidance from Hancom increases the urgency for defensive measures. The vulnerability affects a widely used office suite in certain markets, posing risks of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-32541 can be significant, especially for those relying on Hancom Office 2020 for document processing. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive information, install malware, or disrupt business operations. Confidentiality is at risk due to potential data exfiltration, integrity can be compromised by unauthorized modification of documents or system files, and availability may be affected through system crashes or ransomware deployment. Given the ease of exploitation and the common use of office documents in business communications, this vulnerability could serve as an entry point for broader attacks. Organizations in sectors such as government, finance, and critical infrastructure that handle sensitive data are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the threat of future exploitation remains high.

1. Immediately implement strict email and document handling policies to block or quarantine unsolicited or suspicious .doc files, especially from unknown sources. 2. Educate users about the risks of opening unexpected or unverified documents and encourage verification before opening. 3. Employ endpoint protection solutions with heuristic and behavior-based detection to identify exploitation attempts targeting use-after-free vulnerabilities. 4. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts or post-exploitation behaviors. 5. Restrict the execution privileges of Hancom Office processes using application control or sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential code execution. 6. Regularly check for and apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available. 7. Consider alternative document viewers or office suites for high-risk environments until a patch is released. 8. Implement network segmentation to contain potential breaches originating from compromised endpoints.