OLE security bypass via crafted RTF controls
Published Feb 10, 2026 · Updated Feb 10, 2026
OLE security bypass in Microsoft Office Word allows local users to execute arbitrary OLE objects through a crafted RTF document. Word trusts attacker-controlled RTF control words when deciding whether OLE security mitigations apply, permitting embedded OLE objects to run. Exploitation requires a user to open the file; Preview Pane is not an attack vector, and the bypass removes security prompts around dangerous OLE content.
Summary
What happened
OLE security bypass in Microsoft Office Word allows local users to execute arbitrary OLE objects through a crafted RTF document. Word trusts attacker-controlled RTF control words when deciding whether OLE security mitigations apply, permitting embedded OLE objects to run. Exploitation requires a user to open the file; Preview Pane is not an attack vector, and the bypass removes security prompts around dangerous OLE content.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-21514
- Published
- Feb 10, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 10, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024
- Classifications
- CWE-807, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 10, 2026Exploitation reportedCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog entry
- Feb 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 10, 2026Record 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=16.0.0 <16.106.26020821
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
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog entryknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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