Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Outlook allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Published: 2026-10-13
Score: 9.8 Critical
EPSS: 1.6% Low
KEV: No
Impact: Remote Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Outlook enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system when a malicious document or message is processed. The vulnerability is a classic example of CWE-122, where unchecked memory writes can corrupt heap structures. If successfully exploited, the attacker gains the same privileges as the Outlook process, potentially compromising confidential data, system integrity, or availability.

Affected Systems

The affected products are Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise and the long-term servicing channel versions of Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 and LTSC 2024. Specific version details are not listed, so all current builds of these products should be evaluated for the presence of the flaw.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity. The EPSS score is 1%, indicating a very low but non-zero exploitation probability, yet the high severity remains an urgent threat. The vulnerability is not currently in the CISA KEV catalog. The flaw is accessed over a network, inferring that an attacker can trigger it by sending a crafted email or malicious document. The combination of high CVSS score and remote reach makes it a top priority for remediation.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 16, 2026 at 05:23 UTC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Check Microsoft’s update portal for the latest Outlook patch and apply it immediately.
  • Configure Outlook to block or quarantine suspicious document types and disable macros by default, reducing the likelihood that a malicious payload is executed.
  • Apply the principle of least privilege to the Outlook process, ensuring it runs under a limited user account to constrain potential damage if exploitation occurs.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 16, 2026 at 05:23 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2021:-:*:*:*:ltsc:-:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2021:-:*:*:*:ltsc:-:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:-:*:*:*:ltsc:-:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:-:*:*:*:ltsc:-:x86:*

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Outlook allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Title Microsoft Office Outlook Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
Weaknesses CWE-122
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:*:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2021:*:*:*:*:long_term_servicing_channel:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:*:*:*:*:long_term_servicing_channel:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft 365 Apps Office 2021 Office 2024
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-31T18:10:46.163Z

Reserved: 2026-08-03T23:54:57.811Z

Link: CVE-2026-70242

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-10-13T20:50:07.763Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-10-13T19:19:40.990

Modified: 2026-10-15T16:19:49.843

Link: CVE-2026-70242

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-16T05:30:19Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow