CVE-2021-28453

Code execution via DOC parsing use-after-free

Published Apr 13, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Use-after-free in Microsoft Word DOC parsing allows remote attackers to execute code when a crafted document is opened or previewed. The parser fails to verify that an object still exists before operating on it, allowing attacker-controlled document data to reach a freed object. Exploitation requires user interaction or server-side document processing and runs code in the affected process's security context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability4.05%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Microsoft Word DOC parsing allows remote attackers to execute code when a crafted document is opened or previewed. The parser fails to verify that an object still exists before operating on it, allowing attacker-controlled document data to reach a freed object. Exploitation requires user interaction or server-side document processing and runs code in the affected process's security context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28453
Published
Apr 13, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Microsoft Office 2019
Classifications
T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 13, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=19.0.0 <https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Microsoft Office 2019version=19.0.0 <https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft · Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016version=16.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010version=13.0.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2013version=15.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019version=16.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Office 2019 for Macversion=16.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010version=13.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Office Online Serverversion=16.0.1 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Word 2013version=15.0.1 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Word 2016version=16.0.1 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Office Web Apps Server 2013version=15.0.1 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Office 2010version=13.0.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft Word 2010version=13.0.0.0 <publication
Microsoft · Microsoft 365 Apps for enterpriseversion=16.0.1 <https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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

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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