CVE-2023-36041

Code execution via dangling PivotCache reference

Published Nov 14, 2023 · Updated Oct 8, 2025

Use-after-free in Microsoft Excel allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted spreadsheet document. While parsing an invalid ElementType attribute, FCommitHtmlPivotCacheElement frees an HtmlPivotTableInfo object but leaves its pointer non-null, allowing later reuse of the dangling reference. Exploitation requires a user to open the malicious file and can corrupt Excel process memory before code executes in that user's context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability56.73%
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 Excel allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted spreadsheet document. While parsing an invalid ElementType attribute, FCommitHtmlPivotCacheElement frees an HtmlPivotTableInfo object but leaves its pointer non-null, allowing later reuse of the dangling reference. Exploitation requires a user to open the malicious file and can corrupt Excel process memory before code executes in that user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-36041
Published
Nov 14, 2023
Updated
Oct 8, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Microsoft Office 2019
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 8, 2025Record 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 Excel 2016version=16.0.0.0 <16.0.5422.1000
Microsoft · Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021version=16.0.1 <16.79.23111019
Microsoft · Microsoft Office LTSC 2021version=16.0.1 <https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
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
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

CWE-416Use After Free
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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