CVE-2026-97741
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-122, CWE-193
Impact
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the local user if they convince them to open a malicious Excel file. No prior privileges or network access are required beyond getting the user to open the file.
Root cause
A heap-based buffer overflow and off-by-one boundary flaw exist in Microsoft Office Excel during document 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 security update referenced in Microsoft advisory CVE-2026-97741; as an interim workaround, block untrusted Excel files at email and web gateways or configure Office Protected View to restrict opening files from untrusted sources.
AI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?
NVD description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.