CVE-2021-38646 Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine Remote Code Execution
Attackers can execute arbitrary code via the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine, requiring users to apply vendor patches.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 28 Mar 2022
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-38646?
CVE-2021-38646 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Microsoft 365 Apps, published on 15 Sep 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-38646?
It affects 4 products.
Products include Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Office 2019.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38646?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-38646 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 18 Apr 2022.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2021-38646 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-38646 in the wild since at least 28 Mar 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft 365 Apps
- CVE-2024-21413 Microsoft Outlook Improper Input Validation
- CVE-2023-23397 Microsoft Office Outlook Privilege Escalation
- CVE-2024-38189 Microsoft Project Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2023-35311 Microsoft Outlook Security Feature Bypass
- CVE-2026-21514 Microsoft Office Word Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision
Sources
Also known as GHSA-846x-h43v-68x9.