CVE-2026-20949 Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
An attacker can bypass security features in Microsoft Excel locally, requiring users to apply vendor patches.
- 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-2026-20949?
CVE-2026-20949 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft 365 Apps, published on 13 Jan 2026. 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
Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
Weakness: CWE-284
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-20949?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-20949?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-20949 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-20949 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-20949 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-2vvv-3xfp-234v.