CVE-2026-21509: Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Published Jan 26, 2026
·
Updated

Microsoft Office contains a security feature bypass vulnerability in which reliance on untrusted inputs in a security decision in Microsoft Office could allow an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally. Some of the impacted product(s) could be end-of-life (EoL) and/or end-of-service (EoS). Users are advised to discontinue use and/or transition to a supported version.

Other sources

Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Microsoft

Reliance on untrusted inputs in a security decision in Microsoft Office allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.

Microsoft

Affected Software

31 affected componentsFixes available
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions
Microsoft Office 2016
Microsoft Office 2016
Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions
Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions
Microsoft Office
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft Office=2016
Microsoft Office=2016
Microsoft Office=2019
Microsoft Office=2019
Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel=2021
Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel=2021
Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel=2024
Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel=2024
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions<https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office 2016<16.0.5539.1001
16.0.5539.1001
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions<https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise<https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions<https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise<https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions<16.0.10417.20095
16.0.10417.20095
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions<https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions<16.0.10417.20095
16.0.10417.20095
Microsoft Office 2016<16.0.5539.1001
16.0.5539.1001

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.0.5539.1001Patch KB5002713
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.0.10417.20095

Event History

Jan 26, 2026
CVE Published
via CISA·12:00 AM
Known Exploited
via CISA·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via CISA·12:00 AM
RemedyDescriptionAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·04:00 PM
Description
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:06 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:06 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 27, 2026
News Published
via The Register·10:35 AM
News Published
via The Register·10:39 AM
Jan 30, 2026
News Published
via ZDNet·02:02 AM
News Published
via ZDNet·03:00 AM
Feb 2, 2026
News Published
via The Register·06:18 PM
News Published
via BleepingComputer·09:00 PM
News Published
via BleepingComputer·09:01 PM
Mar 10, 2026
News Published
via BleepingComputer·10:00 AM
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-21509?

CVE-2026-21509 is classified as a security feature bypass vulnerability in Microsoft Office.

2

What versions of Microsoft Office are affected by CVE-2026-21509?

CVE-2026-21509 affects Microsoft Office 2016, 2019, LTSC 2021, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise across both 32-bit and 64-bit editions.

3

How do I fix CVE-2026-21509?

To fix CVE-2026-21509, download and install the security update provided by Microsoft for the affected version of Office.

4

What are the potential risks of CVE-2026-21509?

Exploitation of CVE-2026-21509 could allow unauthorized attackers to bypass security features in Microsoft Office.

5

Is CVE-2026-21509 actively being exploited in the wild?

CVE-2026-21509 has been identified in the context of known exploits as reported by security advisories.

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