CVE-2018-0802
HighExploitedPublic exploitEquation Editor in Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 allow 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-2018-0802 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 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 Jan 9, 2018 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 93% 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
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
93%
Higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2018-0802 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 allow a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE is unique from CVE-2018-0797 and CVE-2018-0812.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Jan 9, 2018 | May 3, 2022 | Known |
| 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
Jan 9, 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://github.com/zldww2011/CVE-2018-0802_POC
- advisory102347
- advisory1040153
- patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-0802
- exploithttps://0patch.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-bug-that-killed-equation-editor-how.html
FAQ
Common Questions.
Equation Editor in Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft Office 2016 allow 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 Jan 9, 2018 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
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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