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Microsoft Excel EUVDEUVD-2026-100299

| CVE-2026-97004 HIGH
Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122)
2026-10-13 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-v3j6-q4q3-wp8w
8.8
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Deliver crafted Excel file via phishing
  2. Delivery
    Victim opens document in Excel
  3. Exploit
    Trigger heap buffer overflow in parser
  4. Execution
    Execute arbitrary code as user
  5. Impact
    Compromise host and user data

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Heap buffer bounds checking
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Execution

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires a user to open or preview a malicious attacker-crafted Excel file (per CVSS UI:R) - delivery is network-capable (email, web, file share) but code execution does not occur until the victim opens the document, which is the primary limiting factor. No authentication or elevated privileges are required on the attacker side (PR:N), and no special victim-side configuration is implied by the description; default Office installations that process spreadsheet files are exploitable. Scope is unchanged (S:U), so code runs with the privileges of the user who opened the file, meaning least-privilege user accounts and Protected View / Mark-of-the-Web blocking of untrusted documents materially reduce realistic risk.

Impact

This is a credible, actionable priority rather than an inflated high-CVSS artifact. The provided CVSS:3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, base 8.8) describes a network-deliverable, unauthenticated-to-trigger memory-corruption RCE (CWE-122 heap overflow) with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact - the classic profile of a maliciously crafted Office document that runs code when opened. The single meaningful mitigating signal in the vector is UI:R: a human must open the attacker-supplied Excel file, so this is not wormable/self-propagating. Key risk signals are MISSING and must not be invented: no EPSS score was provided, there is no CISA KEV listing in the input, and no public POC/exploit code is referenced, so the exploitation status is 'no public exploit identified at time of analysis.' That absence should not be read as low risk - Office file-format RCEs in this class are historically high-value for phishing/spear-phishing campaigns and frequently see exploit development after patch release. A vendor patch is confirmed available, and the issue was reported through Microsoft's own security channel (secure@microsoft.com), which lends high confidence to the vulnerability's legitimacy. Net: patch urgently given ubiquity of Office, but note that real-world exploitation likelihood (EPSS) and in-the-wild status (KEV) could not be quantified from the data supplied.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker emails or otherwise delivers a specially crafted Excel spreadsheet (e.g., via phishing or a shared document link). When a user opens the file, the malformed content triggers a heap-based buffer overflow in Excel's parsing code, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user. No public exploit code is identified in the provided data, though this vulnerability class is commonly weaponized after disclosure.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.7% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Oct 13, 2026

Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code when a victim opens or previews a crafted spreadsheet. Affected products include Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office LTSC 2021/2024 (Windows and Mac), Office Online Server, and Office 365 for Mac. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, but the CVSS score of 8.8 and low attack complexity make this a credible, actionable priority; vendor patches are available. Code execution occurs in the context of the user who opens the file, and user interaction is required.

RemediationAI

Apply the vendor-released patch as soon as possible. For Windows-based Office LTSC 2021, upgrade to version 16.0.14334.20974 or later; for Office LTSC 2024, upgrade to 16.0.17932.21056 or later; for Office Online Server, upgrade to 16.0.10417.20228 or later. For Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, ensure automatic updates are enabled and install the latest build per https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases. For Mac editions (Office LTSC for Mac 2021/2024 and Office 365 for Mac), check Microsoft AutoUpdate for the latest version; if no fixed version is published yet, monitor the advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97004 for updates. As compensating controls until patching is complete, enforce Protected View for all files from the internet, ensure Mark-of-the-Web is honored, disable Excel file previews in email and web clients, and operate with least-privilege user accounts. Note that Protected View may impact usability for legitimate documents, and disabling previews may reduce productivity. No public exploit code has been identified, but given the severity and low attack complexity, prompt patching is strongly recommended.

Affected VersionsENISA

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise 16.0.1 <https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024 16.0.0 <publication
Office Online Server 16.0.0.0 <16.0.10417.20228
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 16.0.1 <16.0.14334.20974
Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 16.0.1 <publication
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 16.0.0 <16.0.17932.21056
Microsoft Office 365 for Mac 1.0.0 <publication

Affected Packages

euvd microsoft_office_ltsc_2021 fix: 16.0.14334.20974
euvd microsoft_office_ltsc_2024 fix: 16.0.17932.21056
euvd office_online_server fix: 16.0.10417.20228

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 3 packages in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in Microsoft Excel's parsing of spreadsheet files. An attacker can craft a malicious Excel document that, when opened or previewed by a victim, triggers a memory corruption condition in the heap. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Excel. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N) and requires user interaction (UI:R) to open the file, but no authentication (PR:N) or special configuration is needed. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the attacker does not gain control over other security contexts. The flaw affects multiple Office products, including Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office LTSC 2021 and 2024 (both Windows and Mac), Office Online Server, and Office 365 for Mac. Mitigations such as Protected View and Mark-of-the-Web blocking of untrusted documents can significantly reduce the risk.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 8.8 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 8.8 HIGH

File is network-delivered and needs no attacker privileges (AV:N/PR:N) but requires the victim to open it (UI:R); memory-corruption RCE in user context yields full C:H/I:H/A:H with unchanged scope.

3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Oct 13, 2026 - 20:20 EUVD
CVE Published
Oct 13, 2026 - 19:22 cve.org
HIGH 8.8

DescriptionCVE.org

Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel allows an attacker to execute code on a victim's system when they open a malicious spreadsheet, putting sensitive data and business operations at risk across the organization's Microsoft 365 and Office user base. Although no public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, the broad deployment of affected products and low attack complexity make this a credible priority for immediate remediation. Leadership should ensure patches are applied promptly to protect critical assets and maintain user productivity.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.7%
Top 46% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Microsoft Excel/Office is deployed across the vast majority of enterprise environments
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less Likely
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.7%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

45
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +44
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.

A heap overflow occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a buffer allocated in the heap memory region.

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