CVE-2016-7262KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

High · published December 20, 2016

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 7.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 99.1th percentile for exploit probability.

1673
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
58%
Percentile
99.1
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

⚡ A crafted click could unleash chaos! This Microsoft Excel vulnerability lets attackers execute arbitrary commands just by interacting with a seemingly innocent cell. 📊 Think of it as a restaurant where the waiter brings you a delicious-looking dish, but once you take a bite, it turns out to be a surprise ingredient that makes you sick. An unwary user clicking a malicious cell can open the door wide for attackers. An attacker who manipulates a vulnerable Excel file could execute commands on the victim's machine, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or complete system takeover. The implications are absolutely devastating, especially if sensitive information is at stake!

Put simply

Think of it as a restaurant where the waiter brings you a delicious-looking dish, but once you take a bite, it turns out to be a surprise ingredient that makes you sick. An unwary user clicking a malicious cell can open the door wide for attackers. This vulnerability arises because Microsoft Office mishandles clicks on crafted cells, allowing unauthorized commands to be executed without proper validation. It's a security feature bypass that can have dire consequences in the hands of a crafty attacker.

What to do

An attacker who manipulates a vulnerable Excel file could execute commands on the victim's machine, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or complete system takeover. The implications are absolutely devastating, especially if sensitive information is at stake! To protect yourself, make sure to update Microsoft Excel to the latest version immediately. Educate users about the dangers of opening unexpected Excel files and consider implementing security measures like antivirus software that scans for malicious documents. You've got this! Stay vigilant, and with these steps, you can keep your systems secure. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.57733 · 99.1th percentile
Published
2016-12-20T05:54Z
KEV added
2022-03-03 · due 2022-03-24
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 MAR 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Mar 24
    kev
  • 20 DEC 05:54Z
    Microsoft Excel 2007 SP3, Excel 2010 SP2, Excel 2013 SP1, Excel 2013 RT SP1, Excel 2016, Office Compatibility Pack SP3, and Excel Viewer allow user-assisted…
    cvelistv5