CVE-2020-0651

Code execution via malformed in-memory objects

Published Jan 14, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Memory corruption in Microsoft Excel allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a crafted workbook. Excel improperly handles workbook-derived objects in memory; Microsoft has not disclosed the parser, object type, or corrupting operation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction and runs code with the user's privileges on affected Windows or macOS installations.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability17.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Microsoft Excel allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a crafted workbook. Excel improperly handles workbook-derived objects in memory; Microsoft has not disclosed the parser, object type, or corrupting operation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction and runs code with the user's privileges on affected Windows or macOS installations.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-0651
Published
Jan 14, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Microsoft Office
Classifications
T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 14, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2016 for Mac
  2. Affected versionversion=2019 for 32-bit editions
  3. Affected versionversion=2019 for 64-bit editions
  4. Affected versionversion=2019 for Mac

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Microsoft Officeversion=2016 for Mac; version=2019 for 32-bit editions; version=2019 for 64-bit editions; version=2019 for Mac
Microsoft · Microsoft Excelversion=2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions); version=2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions); version=2013 RT Service Pack 1; version=2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions); version=2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions); version=2016 (32-bit edition); version=2016 (64-bit edition)
Microsoft · Microsoft 365 Apps for enterpriseversion=32-bit Systems; version=64-bit Systems

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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