CVE-2026-21509KEV · OVERDUECWE-807

Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

High · published January 26, 2026

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 99.4th percentile for exploit probability.

251
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
71%
Percentile
99.4
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

⚡ A crafty reliance on untrusted inputs is letting unauthorized users sneak past security features in Microsoft Office—like a party crasher slipping through an unguarded side door! 🚪 Think of a restaurant that trusts every reservation made over the phone without verifying the caller’s identity. If someone sneaks a fake reservation, they could waltz right into the VIP section without a second glance! An attacker could easily bypass crucial security features, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive documents and data. This could lead to data breaches, information theft, and potentially devastating consequences for organizations relying on Microsoft Office's security measures.

Put simply

Think of a restaurant that trusts every reservation made over the phone without verifying the caller’s identity. If someone sneaks a fake reservation, they could waltz right into the VIP section without a second glance! The vulnerability arises from Microsoft Office's failure to properly validate inputs when making security decisions, allowing unauthorized access to security features locally.

What to do

An attacker could easily bypass crucial security features, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive documents and data. This could lead to data breaches, information theft, and potentially devastating consequences for organizations relying on Microsoft Office's security measures. Update Microsoft Office to the latest version immediately to close this vulnerability. Regularly audit and enforce input validation practices to prevent similar issues in the future. Don’t forget to train staff on recognizing suspicious inputs! You've got this! By taking action now, you can safeguard your systems from this vulnerability. 🛡️

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:F/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.70795 · 99.4th percentile
Weakness
CWE-807 · Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision
Published
2026-01-26T17:06Z
KEV added
2026-01-26 · due 2026-02-16
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 26 JAN 17:06Z
    Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
    cvelistv5
  • 26 JAN 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Feb 16
    kev