CVE-2018-25219
Buffer Overflow in PassFab Excel Password Recovery Enables Code Execution
Publication date: 2026-03-26
Last updated on: 2026-03-31
Assigner: VulnCheck
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| passfab | excel_password_recovery | to 8.3.1 (inc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-787 | The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2018-25219 is a structured exception handling (SEH) buffer overflow vulnerability in PassFab Excel Password Recovery version 8.3.1. It occurs when a local attacker supplies a specially crafted malicious payload in the registration code field during the software's registration process. This payload exploits the buffer overflow by overwriting the SEH with a pop-pop-ret gadget and shellcode, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring privileges or user interaction. Successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by enabling attackers to run malicious code, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or disruption of services.
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
This vulnerability is a local structured exception handling (SEH) buffer overflow in PassFab Excel Password Recovery 8.3.1 that is triggered by pasting a crafted payload into the Licensed E-mail and Registration Code fields during registration.
Detection involves verifying if the vulnerable version (8.3.1 or earlier) of PassFab Excel Password Recovery is installed on your system.
Since the exploit requires local interaction (pasting a malicious payload), network detection is limited. However, you can check for the presence of the vulnerable software and monitor for suspicious local activity.
Suggested commands to detect the vulnerable software version on Windows systems include:
- Using PowerShell to check installed software: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like '*PassFab Excel Password Recovery*' } | Select-Object Name, Version
- Checking running processes for the application: tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq PassFabExcelPasswordRecovery.exe"
Additionally, monitoring clipboard activity or suspicious input into the registration fields could indicate exploitation attempts, but no specific commands for this are provided.
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Immediate mitigation steps include:
- Avoid using or installing PassFab Excel Password Recovery version 8.3.1 or earlier until a patched version is available.
- Do not paste or input untrusted or suspicious data into the Licensed E-mail and Registration Code fields during registration.
- Restrict local access to systems running the vulnerable software to trusted users only.
- Monitor for any unusual behavior or unexpected application crashes related to PassFab Excel Password Recovery.
Since the vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, controlling physical and local access is critical.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The provided context and resources do not contain any information regarding the impact of CVE-2018-25219 on compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.