Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise and Microsoft Office - CVE-2026-81952
Published: September 9, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU148300
CSH Severity: High
CVSS v4: 8.4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-81952
CWE-ID: CWE-122
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability exists due to a heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Word when processing a malicious RTF file opened by a user. A remote attacker can craft a malicious RTF file and persuade a user to open it to execute arbitrary code.
The Preview Pane is not an attack vector.
Affected software
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office
How to mitigate CVE-2026-81952
Install security update from vendor's website.
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise - update to 16.0.20326.20138
Microsoft Office - addressed in versions 16.0.5569.1003, 16.0.10417.20207, 16.0.14334.20906, 16.0.17932.20976
Microsoft Office - addressed in versions 16.0.5569.1003, 16.0.10417.20207, 16.0.14334.20906, 16.0.17932.20976