CVE-2021-38656 Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Attackers can execute arbitrary code via a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Word, requiring user interaction to open a malicious file.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- 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-2021-38656?
CVE-2021-38656 is a high-severity use after free 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 Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-38656?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Microsoft 365 Apps.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38656?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-38656 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2021-38656 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-38656 in the wild and no public exploit code.
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-q5j2-v8q9-65c8.