# CVE-2012-2539: Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2012-2539-microsoft-word-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-28. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2012-2539 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.3 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-28

Microsoft Word and related Office components are vulnerable to remote code execution or denial of service due to improper handling of crafted RTF data. The vulnerability, known as the 'listoverridecount' flaw, allows an attacker to cause memory corruption via a malicious document.

Technologies: [Microsoft Word](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/word). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2012-2539 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2012-2539 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2012-2539?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.3, published 28 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Word 2003 SP3; Microsoft Word 2007 SP2, SP3; Microsoft Word 2010 SP1; Microsoft Word Viewer; and 2 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2012-2539?** A patch was published on 2012-12-11: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-079 released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2012-2539 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2012-2539?** Check whether you run Microsoft Word. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Word 2003 SP3
- Microsoft Word 2007 SP2, SP3
- Microsoft Word 2010 SP1
- Microsoft Word Viewer
- Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack SP2, SP3
- Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010 SP1

## Timeline

- 2012-12-11: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2012-12-11: patched: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-079 released
- 2022-03-28: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-03-28: exploited: Confirmed exploited in the wild per CISA KEV catalog entry

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Word use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112735-use-after-free-in-microsoft-office-word-allows-an-unauthorized)
- [Microsoft Word heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112724-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-office-word-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Word heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112716-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-office-word-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Word heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111306-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-office-word-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Office Word heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110056-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-office-word-allows-an)