Microsoft Security Update Guide · Office / Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft Office Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Published
What does this mean?
- Elevation of Privilege. An attacker can gain more rights than they should have, for example admin rights.
- It can be exploited with access to the device itself, with an ordinary user account and without any user action.
- CVSS 7.8 out of 10: high. Microsoft rates it Important.
- No attacks reported; Microsoft expects exploitation to be less likely.
- What should you do? Install the security update for the version you run (or a later cumulative update):
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems: KBClick to Run
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases - Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions: KBClick to Run
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases - Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions: KBClick to Run
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases - Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions: KBClick to Run
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases - Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions: KBClick to Run
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases - Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions: KBClick to Run
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems: KBClick to Run
Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Microsoft Office allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
What kind of flaw is this?
- CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Input ends up unfiltered in a command, so an attacker can run their own commands (command injection).
Key facts
Released
11 aug 2026
Impact
Elevation of Privilege
Max severity
Important
Weakness
CVSS 3.1
7.8 / 6.8 (base / temporal)
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:CPublicly disclosed
No
Exploited
No
Exploitability assessment
Exploitation Less Likely
Customer action required
Yes
Links
CVSS metrics
| Base score metrics | |
|---|---|
| Attack Vector | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low |
| User Interaction | None |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High |
| Integrity | High |
| Availability | High |
| Temporal score metrics | |
| Exploit Code Maturity | Unproven |
| Remediation Level | Official Fix |
| Report Confidence | Confirmed |
Affected products and updates
| Product | Update | Build |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 64-bit Systems | KBClick to Run | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
FAQ
- What privileges could be gained by an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability?
- An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges.
- Is the Preview Pane an attack vector for this vulnerability?
- No, the Preview Pane is not an attack vector.
Revisions
| Version | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 aug 2026 | Information published. |
What changed in Microsoft 365 this week? →
View at Microsoft → ← All security advisories
Source: Microsoft Security Update Guide. 365Fanatic is not affiliated with Microsoft.
