Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Published: 2026-10-13
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Remote Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap‑based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables an attacker without prior authorization to run arbitrary code on the host system via a network‑based trigger. The flaw stems from improper handling of data structures, allowing the attacker to overwrite control‑flow information and thus gaining full compromise of the machine. This leads to loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected workstation or server.

Affected Systems

The flaw affects Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, 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, deployed on Windows, macOS, and server platforms.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates high severity, while the EPSS score is unavailable, suggesting no publicly reported exploitation at this time. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. Based on the description, it is inferred that an attacker would need to transmit a specially crafted Excel file over a network; opening that file triggers the heap overflow and grants code execution. The lack of publicly known workarounds means that protection must rely on securing the environment and applying any available vendor fixes.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 14, 2026 at 13:26 UTC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Check the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE‑2026‑97004 and apply the released update as soon as possible.
  • Configure Microsoft Excel to block or warn before opening files from untrusted sources and disable macros when no update is yet available.
  • Implement network controls to block the transfer of suspicious Office documents and monitor for anomalous file activity.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 14, 2026 at 13:26 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 20:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc 2021
Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc 2024
Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc For Mac 2021
Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc For Mac 2024
Vendors & Products Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc 2021
Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc 2024
Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc For Mac 2021
Microsoft microsoft Office Ltsc For Mac 2024

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Microsoft microsoft 365
Microsoft office Online Server
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_365:-:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
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:-:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_online_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft microsoft 365
Microsoft office Online Server

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 21:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', '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 Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Title Microsoft Office Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
Microsoft office 365
Microsoft office Macos 2021
Microsoft office Macos 2024
Weaknesses CWE-122
CWE-191
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_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 office 2021
Microsoft office 2024
Microsoft office 365
Microsoft office Macos 2021
Microsoft office Macos 2024
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft 365 Apps Microsoft 365 Microsoft Office Ltsc 2021 Microsoft Office Ltsc 2024 Microsoft Office Ltsc For Mac 2021 Microsoft Office Ltsc For Mac 2024 Office 2021 Office 2024 Office 365 Office Macos 2021 Office Macos 2024 Office Online Server
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-31T18:11:57.996Z

Reserved: 2026-09-23T20:52:28.738Z

Link: CVE-2026-97004

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-10-13T19:37:22.863Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-10-13T19:22:09.430

Modified: 2026-10-15T21:19:26.400

Link: CVE-2026-97004

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-23T20:00:15Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow

  • CWE-191

    Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound)