CVE-2018-0798
HighExploitedPublic exploitEquation Editor in Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability".
Published Jan 9, 2018 · Updated Oct 28, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2018-0798 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Office (Microsoft), Office Compatibility Pack (Microsoft), Word (Microsoft) and 1 more product.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Nov 29, 2018. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 95% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
95%
Higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2018-0798 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Equation Editor in Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability".
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Nov 29, 2018 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
12 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| OfficeMicrosoft | 2007-sp3, 2010-sp2, 2013-sp1, 2016 | n/a |
| Office Compatibility PackMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| WordMicrosoft | 2007-sp3, 2010-sp2, 2013-sp1, 2016 | n/a |
| Equation Editor | >= Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 9, 2018
Added to Industry KEV feed
Nov 29, 2018
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Oct 28, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- advisoryhttps://0patch.blogspot.com/2018/01/bringing-abandoned-equation-editor-back.html
- advisory102370
- advisory1040153
- patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-0798
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
Equation Editor in Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability".
Affected: Office (Microsoft) versions 2007-sp3, 2010-sp2, 2013-sp1, 2016; Office Compatibility Pack (Microsoft); Word (Microsoft) versions 2007-sp3, 2010-sp2, 2013-sp1, 2016, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Nov 29, 2018.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of May 3, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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