Code execution via heap buffer overflow
Published Sep 8, 2026 · Updated Sep 10, 2026
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel allows local users to execute code after opening a crafted workbook with user interaction. Microsoft identifies heap memory corruption but has not disclosed the affected workbook parser or the specific operation that writes beyond its allocation. Exploitation requires a user to open attacker-controlled content, and successful code runs in the user's security context with confidentiality, integrity, and availability consequences.
Summary
What happened
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel allows local users to execute code after opening a crafted workbook with user interaction. Microsoft identifies heap memory corruption but has not disclosed the affected workbook parser or the specific operation that writes beyond its allocation. Exploitation requires a user to open attacker-controlled content, and successful code runs in the user's security context with confidentiality, integrity, and availability consequences.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-81397
- Published
- Sep 8, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 10, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024
- Classifications
- CWE-122, T1204
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 8, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 10, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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