Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Published: 2026-09-08
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Local code execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

Microsoft Office Excel contains a stack-based buffer overflow that enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code locally. The flaw arises from improper handling of spreadsheet data on the stack, leading to overwriting return addresses and hijacking control flow. Based on the description, it is inferred that the exploit would involve feeding a specially crafted Excel workbook to the vulnerable function, which then allows execution of code with the privileges of the user opening the file. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 and CWE-193.

Affected Systems

The flaw impacts Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Excel 2016, Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft Office 365 for Mac, Microsoft Office LTSC 2021, Microsoft Office LTSC 2024, Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021, and Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024. Specific affected version ranges are not provided in the data.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity, meaning the vulnerability can be used to cause significant damage if exploited. The EPSS score is not available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, suggesting no documented widespread exploitation at present. Based on the description, it is inferred that the attack would require an attacker to supply a crafted Excel file and convince a user to open it locally. Once the workbook is processed, the stack corruption leads to code execution, making the risk contingent on user interaction and local file handling. The likely attack vector is local, requiring user action, though enterprise controls such as Protected View may mitigate exploitation.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 9, 2026 at 03:31 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply all available Microsoft security updates for the affected Office and Excel products.
  • Configure Office to open every Excel file in Protected View by enabling the default policy, thereby sandboxing file processing.
  • Implement a file‑type whitelist or endpoint protection rules to block the opening of unknown or suspicious Excel files on user workstations.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 9, 2026 at 03:31 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Microsoft excel
Microsoft microsoft 365
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2016:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2016:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_365:-:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2016:-:*:*:*:-:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2016:-:*:*:*:-:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*: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_2021:-:*:*:*:ltsc:macos:-:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:-:*:*:*:ltsc:-:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:-:*:*:*:ltsc:-:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_2024:-:*:*:*:ltsc:macos:-:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft excel
Microsoft microsoft 365

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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


Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:30:00 +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 2016
Microsoft office 2019
Microsoft office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
Microsoft office 365
Microsoft office Macos 2021
Microsoft office Macos 2024
Weaknesses CWE-121
CWE-193
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:*:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_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_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 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 Excel 2016 Microsoft 365 Office 2016 Office 2019 Office 2021 Office 2024 Office 365 Office Macos 2021 Office Macos 2024
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-25T21:38:44.089Z

Reserved: 2026-08-26T18:46:26.215Z

Link: CVE-2026-81396

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-09-09T09:52:39.605Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-09-08T18:20:56.163

Modified: 2026-09-17T20:18:39.253

Link: CVE-2026-81396

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-11T23:30:04Z

Weaknesses