Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Published: 2026-07-14
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap-based buffer overflow exists in Microsoft Office Excel, permitting an unauthorized user to execute arbitrary code locally. The flaw can compromise data confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing the attacker to run malicious payloads on the victim’s system. The weakness corresponds to CWE-122.

Affected Systems

Affected products include Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Excel 2016, Office 2019, Office 365 for Mac, Office LTSC 2021 and 2024, Office LTSC for Mac versions 2021 and 2024, and Office Online Server. Users of any of these applications should verify whether they are running a build that pre-dates the included fix.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score is 7.8, indicating high severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1% suggests a low probability of widespread exploitation at the moment. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The attack vector is inferred to be local, likely through a malicious Excel file or document that the user opens or processes. Because the description notes that the attacker need not be privileged, any local user can subvert the system.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 06:52 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the Microsoft Office security update for CVE-2026-55037 by installing the latest cumulative updates for all affected Office versions via the Microsoft Security Update Guide.
  • Deploy application whitelisting or enforce safe file execution policies to limit Excel file execution to trusted sources until the patch is applied.
  • As a temporary safeguard, enable macro security and guarded folder features or restrict automatic opening of untrusted documents until the patch is applied.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 06:52 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Microsoft office Online Server
Vendors & Products Microsoft office Online Server

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Title Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft excel 2016
Microsoft office 2019
Microsoft office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
Microsoft office 365
Microsoft office Macos 2021
Microsoft office Macos 2024
Weaknesses CWE-122
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:*:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2021:*:*:*:*:long_term_servicing_channel:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2021:*:*:*:*:ltsc:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:*:*:*:*:long_term_servicing_channel:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_365:*:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_macos_2021:*:*:*:*:*:long_term_servicing_channel:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_macos_2024:*:*:*:*:*:long_term_servicing_channel:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft excel 2016
Microsoft office 2019
Microsoft office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
Microsoft office 365
Microsoft office Macos 2021
Microsoft office Macos 2024
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft 365 Apps Excel 2016 Office 2019 Office 2021 Office 2024 Office 365 Office Macos 2021 Office Macos 2024 Office Online Server
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T22:57:13.208Z

Reserved: 2026-06-16T14:13:49.835Z

Link: CVE-2026-55037

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-07-15T11:12:22.187Z

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-07-31T07:00:08Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow