Description
Stack-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

Stack‑based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel (CWE‑121) permits an attacker to execute arbitrary code locally with the privileges of the user who opens a malicious workbook. The flaw originates from improper bounds checking when processing certain Excel input, allowing overflow of a stack buffer and the corruption of control flow. If successful, the attacker can run code that may compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability on the affected machine.

Affected Systems

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Excel 2016, Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft Office 365 for Mac, Microsoft Office LTSC 2021, Microsoft Office LTSC 2024, Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021, Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024, and Office Online Server. No specific build or patch level details are listed beyond the product families.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1% reflects a very low current exploitation probability. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. Based on the description, it is inferred that the attacker must supply a malicious workbook that Excel processes, leading to local code execution when the user opens the file. Therefore, the attack requires the attacker to deliver the file to the target computer, confining the threat to environments where users can receive or open files. Currently, the risk is primarily local, but the impact of successful exploitation is substantial.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 1, 2026 at 09:35 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest Microsoft Office security updates available from the Microsoft Security Response Center, ensuring that Excel and all Office components are updated to the latest build.
  • Enable automatic updates for Microsoft Office to receive future fixes promptly and reduce the window of exposure.
  • Configure user training and file‑type restrictions to prevent opening unknown or suspicious documents, or enforce application sandboxing for Office documents from untrusted sources.
  • Strengthen memory protection by enabling DEP and ASLR on affected systems to make it harder for a stack‑based overflow to succeed.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 1, 2026 at 09:35 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

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 Stack-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-121
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
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T22:57:09.570Z

Reserved: 2026-06-16T15:03:49.682Z

Link: CVE-2026-55141

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-07-15T11:13:06.515Z

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-01T09:45:03Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-121

    Stack-based Buffer Overflow