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: 1.2% Low
KEV: No
Impact: Remote Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

The heap‑based buffer overflow in Outlook permits an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code across the network. This flaw can grant the attacker complete control of the affected machine, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The weakness corresponds to a classic buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE‑122).

Affected Systems

The vulnerability impacts Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Office LTSC 2021, and Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 on Windows. The CVE entry does not list precise version numbers, so all current releases of these products are potentially susceptible until the vendor releases a fix.

Risk and Exploitability

With a CVSS score of 9.8, the flaw is classified as critical. The EPSS score is not available, but the lack of an EPSS does not mitigate the high severity; attackers could target any Outlook installation that receives network traffic. Although not yet listed in CISA's KEV catalog, the high CVSS and the nature of the flaw suggest a high likelihood of exploitation by motivated adversaries. Successful exploitation would require the delivery of a crafted email or file processed by Outlook, making the attack vector remote over the network without needing local privilege escalation.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 14, 2026 at 13:45 UTC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest Microsoft Office security update for Outlook that addresses CVE-2026-97016 via the Microsoft Security Response Center guidance.
  • Restrict Outlook traffic to known and trusted domains using firewall or proxy rules until the patch is deployed, reducing exposure to malicious attachments.
  • Configure email filtering to block or quarantine suspicious attachments and enforce safe attachment policies in Outlook and the mail server to mitigate exploitation attempts.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 14, 2026 at 13:45 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 05:30:00 +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: 2026-10-31T18:07:16.495Z

Reserved: 2026-09-23T20:52:28.739Z

Link: CVE-2026-97016

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-10-13T22:12:25.515Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-10-13T19:22:10.530

Modified: 2026-10-15T16:15:40.687

Link: CVE-2026-97016

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-16T07:00:04Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow