CVE-2021-42292: Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass

CVE-2021-42292 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-17

A security feature bypass vulnerability in Microsoft Excel allows for arbitrary code execution. The flaw requires a user to open a specially crafted file, bypassing security restrictions to execute malicious code on the local system.

Technologies: Microsoft Office. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2021-42292 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2021-42292 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 17 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2021-42292?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 17 November 2021.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1; Microsoft Excel 2016; Microsoft Excel 2019; Microsoft Office LTSC 2021; and 1 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2021-42292?
A patch was published on 2021-11-17: Vendor advisory and patch information published Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2021-42292 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-42292?
Check whether you run Microsoft Office. 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 Excel 2013 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Excel 2016
  • Microsoft Excel 2019
  • Microsoft Office LTSC 2021
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise

Timeline

  • 2021-11-09: disclosed: NVD Published Date
  • 2021-11-17: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
  • 2021-11-17: patched: Vendor advisory and patch information published
  • 2021-11-17: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild

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