# CVE-2026-118723: Microsoft Excel untrusted pointer dereference code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118723-untrusted-pointer-dereference-in-microsoft-office-excel-allows  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118723 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-10

Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet application used by businesses worldwide, contains a vulnerability where a malicious file can cause Excel to dereference an untrusted memory pointer. An attacker can exploit this by sending a specially crafted spreadsheet that executes arbitrary code on the victim's computer with the privileges of the user running Excel.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118723 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118723 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118723?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Excel.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118723?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-118723 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118723?** Check whether you run Microsoft Excel. 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.

## Technical details

An untrusted pointer dereference flaw in Microsoft Excel allows arbitrary code execution through a maliciously crafted spreadsheet file. The vulnerability requires local execution and can be triggered when a user opens a crafted Excel document. Successful exploitation grants the attacker code execution in the context of the user running Excel.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Excel

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-118723](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-118723)

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