CVE-2026-20949CWE-284

Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

High · published January 13, 2026

CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
0%
Percentile
39.1
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A local attacker can exploit improperly managed access in Microsoft Excel, bypassing security features as easily as slipping through a cracked door! ⚡ Think of it as a hotel with a malfunctioning security system—someone could just walk in and access any room without being checked, potentially getting a sneak peek into confidential data. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an unauthorized user to access sensitive information in Excel sheets, putting your data at serious risk. Imagine someone rifling through your private files just because a door was left ajar—absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of it as a hotel with a malfunctioning security system—someone could just walk in and access any room without being checked, potentially getting a sneak peek into confidential data. This vulnerability stems from improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel, allowing unauthorized users to bypass security measures locally, thus gaining access to restricted data without any valid authentication.

What to do

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an unauthorized user to access sensitive information in Excel sheets, putting your data at serious risk. Imagine someone rifling through your private files just because a door was left ajar—absolutely devastating! To protect against this, ensure you update Excel to the latest version promptly. Also, review your security settings to verify that proper access controls are in place, safeguarding sensitive information from prying eyes. You've got this! Secure your data and keep those unauthorized users out! 🛡️

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/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00462 · 39.1th percentile
Weakness
CWE-284 · Improper Access Control
Published
2026-01-13T17:57Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 13 JAN 17:57Z
    Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
    cvelistv5