Advisory Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the processing of CONTACT files. Crafted data in a CONTACT file can cause Windows to display a dangerous hyperlink. The user interface fails to provide sufficient indication of the hazard. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user.

12/04/18 - ZDI reported the vulnerability to the vendor
12/04/18 - The vendor acknowledged the report
12/05/18 - The vendor provided a tracking #
12/13/18 - The vendor requested additional information
12/13/18 - ZDI provided the requested additional information
01/04/19 - The vendor notified ZDI that “we've determined that we will not address this issue via a monthly security update, so we will be closing this case. Instead, the team will address this in a future release of Windows”
01/07/19 - ZDI notified the vendor of the intent to publish the report as 0-day on 01/22/19

• 2018-12-04 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
• 2019-01-22 - Coordinated public release of advisory
• 2019-05-30 - Advisory Updated