CVE-2026-97772

8.8High

Published 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Analyzed · AI triage by gemini-3.8-flash

8.8High

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: Required
Impact: Full C/I/A compromise
Weakness: CWE-415

Impact

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on the victim's system, but they need a user to open a malicious Excel file first.

Root cause

A double free memory corruption vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office Excel.

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

Apply the Microsoft security update for Excel from MSRC advisory CVE-2026-97772; if patching must wait, block incoming email attachments with Excel extensions (.xls, .xlsx, .xlsm) at the mail gateway.

AI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?

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NVD description

Double free in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97772PatchVendor Advisory

Source: nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97772