Code execution via best-fit filename argument injection
Published Nov 12, 2024 · Updated Jul 8, 2025
Command injection in affected Microsoft Excel releases allows attackers to execute code after a user opens a crafted file name. Excel converts attacker-controlled fullwidth characters in the file name through Windows best-fit mapping, producing command-line separators that inject a UNC path into its launch arguments. Exploitation requires user interaction and a Windows environment where relayed NTLM authentication can be converted into code execution.
Summary
What happened
Command injection in affected Microsoft Excel releases allows attackers to execute code after a user opens a crafted file name. Excel converts attacker-controlled fullwidth characters in the file name through Windows best-fit mapping, producing command-line separators that inject a UNC path into its launch arguments. Exploitation requires user interaction and a Windows environment where relayed NTLM authentication can be converted into code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-49026
- Published
- Nov 12, 2024
- Updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Classifications
- CWE-77, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 12, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 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.
- Affected versionversion=19.0.0 <https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- WorstFit Excel filename argument-injection demonstrationfunctional · demonstrated
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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