CVE-2026-23657
Use-After-Free in Microsoft Word Enables Local Code Execution
Publication date: 2026-04-14
Last updated on: 2026-04-29
Assigner: Microsoft Corporation
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
| Probability: | |
| Percentile: |
Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | 365_apps | * |
| microsoft | 365_apps | * |
| microsoft | office_long_term_servicing_channel | 2024 |
| microsoft | office_long_term_servicing_channel | 2024 |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-416 | The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
This vulnerability is a use after free in Microsoft Office Word that allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
To mitigate this vulnerability, you should apply the security updates provided by Microsoft as soon as possible.
Additionally, limit user interaction with untrusted Word documents and ensure that users have the least privilege necessary to reduce the impact of potential exploitation.
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in Microsoft Office Word. It allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally on the affected system.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The vulnerability can lead to remote code execution, enabling an attacker to run arbitrary code on your system with potentially high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The vulnerability allows unauthorized local code execution in Microsoft Office Word, which could lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive data.
Such unauthorized access or data compromise may impact compliance with standards and regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, which require protection of personal and health information.
However, specific details on compliance impact or mitigation related to these standards are not provided in the available information.