Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD.
CVSS VectorNVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
6DescriptionCVE.org
Use after free in Microsoft Office PowerPoint allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
AnalysisAI
Use-after-free memory corruption in Microsoft PowerPoint (versions 2016, 2019, LTSC 2021, LTSC 2024, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise) enables local code execution when users open malicious files. An attacker with no privileges can achieve full system compromise (high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact) by convincing a user to open a crafted PowerPoint document. Vendor patch available via Microsoft Security Response Center. No public exploit code or confirmed active exploitation (CISA KEV) identified at time of analysis, though CVSS 7.8 rating reflects high severity for local attack scenarios.
Technical ContextAI
This vulnerability exploits a use-after-free condition (CWE-416) in PowerPoint's document parsing engine. Use-after-free occurs when the application continues to use a memory pointer after the memory has been freed, allowing attackers to manipulate freed memory regions and redirect program execution flow. The affected products span multiple Microsoft Office product lines: PowerPoint 2016 (versions before 16.0.5548.1001), Office 2019 (19.0.0 and later requiring patch), Office LTSC 2021 and 2024 (16.0.0+ requiring patch), and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (16.0.1+ requiring patch). The memory corruption occurs during local file processing, requiring the attacker to deliver a malicious .pptx or similar document format that triggers the dangling pointer dereference during parsing or rendering operations. This class of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in document processors because complex file format parsing creates numerous opportunities for memory management errors.
RemediationAI
Apply vendor-released security updates immediately via Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager. For PowerPoint 2016, upgrade to version 16.0.5548.1001 or later. For Office 2019, Office LTSC 2021, Office LTSC 2024, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, install the latest security updates per guidance at https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases. Full remediation details and patch download links available at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-32200. As interim risk mitigation before patching, implement email attachment filtering to block unsolicited PowerPoint files, educate users to avoid opening PowerPoint documents from untrusted sources, enable Microsoft Office Protected View to open untrusted documents in read-only sandboxed mode, and consider application whitelisting controls to restrict PowerPoint execution to trusted file locations. Monitor for suspicious PowerPoint process behavior using endpoint detection and response tools.
Same weakness CWE-416 – Use After Free
View allSame technique Denial Of Service
View allShare
External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-22585