CVE-2026-97738
8.8HighPublished 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Analyzed · AI triage by gemini-3.8-flash
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Impact
- Full C/I/A compromise
- Weakness
- CWE-416
Impact
An attacker can achieve arbitrary remote code execution in the context of the logged-in user. They need a user to open a malicious Excel spreadsheet.
Root cause
A use-after-free flaw in Microsoft Excel causes the application to reference dangling memory pointers during file parsing.
Affected systems
Versions not listed — check the vendor advisory.
CVSS v3.1 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Fix & remediation
Install the latest security update from the Microsoft MSRC advisory (CVE-2026-97738). If immediate patching is not possible, block inbound untrusted Excel attachments at the email gateway.
AI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?
NVD description
Use after free in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97738PatchVendor Advisory