CVE-2021-42292
HighExploitedPublic exploitMicrosoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Published Jan 12, 2022 · Updated Aug 19, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-42292 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting 365 Apps (Microsoft), Excel (Microsoft), Excel 2013 (Microsoft) and 14 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Nov 9, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including 365 Apps https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases, Excel 15.0.5397.1001.
- 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)
43%
Higher than 98.7% 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-2021-42292 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 17, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Nov 9, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 17, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 17, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
45 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| 365 AppsMicrosoft | See advisory | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| ExcelMicrosoft | 2013-sp1, 2016 | 15.0.5397.1001 |
| Excel 2013Microsoft | See advisory | 15.0.5397.1001 |
| Excel 2016Microsoft | >= 16.0.0.0 | 16.0.5239.1001 |
| OfficeMicrosoft | 2013-sp1, 2016, 2019 | 15.0.5397.1001 |
Patched Releases
365 Apps
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Excel
15.0.5397.1001, 16.0.5239.1001
Excel 2013
15.0.5397.1001
Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1
15.0.5397.1001
Excel 2016
16.0.5239.1001
Office
15.0.5397.1001, 16.0.5239.1001, 16.55.21111400, https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Office 2013
15.0.5397.1001
Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1
15.0.5397.1001
Office 2016
16.0.5239.1001
Office 2019
16.55.21111400, https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
16.55.21111400
Office Long Term Servicing Channel
16.55.21111400, https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021
16.55.21111400
Office Macos 2021
16.55.21111400
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Nov 9, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 17, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 17, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 17, 2021
Publicly disclosed
Jan 12, 2022
Last updated
Aug 19, 2026
References
- advisoryhttp://feedproxy.google.com/
- advisoryhttps://blog.talosintelligence.com/2021/11/microsoft-patch-tuesday-for-nov-2021.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+feedburner/Talos+(Talos%E2%84%A2+Blog)Microsoft
- advisoryhttps://isc.sans.edu/diary/rss/28018
- advisoryhttps://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/01/11/coming-soon-new-security-update-guide-notification-system/
- advisoryhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-us
FAQ
Common Questions.
Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Affected: 365 Apps (Microsoft); Excel (Microsoft) versions 2013-sp1, 2016; Excel 2013 (Microsoft), 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 9, 2021.
Yes. It was added on Nov 17, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Dec 1, 2021.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including 365 Apps https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases, Excel 15.0.5397.1001.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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