CVE-2026-40058: Vulnerability Affecting Office Macro Removal in CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor for Windows
CrowdStrike released a security update to address a vulnerability in the Falcon sensor for Windows. The vulnerability only exists when the Microsoft Office File Malicious Macro Removal Windows policy setting is enabled and customers remain protected through the Cloud Anti-malware for Microsoft Office Files settings.
An update is available immediately for versions 7.34 and above, 7.32 LTS, and 7.16 for Windows 7/2008 R2 systems. The Falcon sensor for Mac, Linux, and Legacy Systems are not affected.
This vulnerability could expose an arbitrary file write to protected locations from an unprivileged context, potentially leading to local privilege escalation.
The CrowdStrike Laroux Malware Cleanup Tool, based off of the same feature in the CrowdStrike Falcon sensor for Windows, is also affected. An update for this tool is also available immediately.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
CrowdStrike Falcon sensor (Windows) / Laroux Malware Cleanup Toolto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.34 - Upgrade
Upgrade
CrowdStrike Falcon sensor (Windows) / Laroux Malware Cleanup Toolto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.32 LTS - Upgrade
Upgrade
CrowdStrike Falcon sensor (Windows) / Laroux Malware Cleanup Toolto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.16 - Configuration
Disable the Microsoft Office File Malicious Macro Removal Windows policy setting to eliminate the vulnerability exposure condition; keep customers protected through Cloud Anti-malware for Microsoft Office Files settings.
Microsoft Office File Malicious Macro Removal policy (CrowdStrike) Microsoft Office File Malicious Macro Removal Windows = enabled (vulnerable condition) / disable to remediate
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are affected?
The issue affects CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor for Windows only when the Microsoft Office File Malicious Macro Removal Windows policy setting is enabled. The CrowdStrike Laroux Malware Cleanup Tool is also affected; Falcon sensors for Mac, Linux, and Legacy Systems are not affected.
What would an attacker need to exploit this issue?
An attacker needs unprivileged local access. The vulnerability may allow an arbitrary file write to protected locations from that context, potentially enabling local privilege escalation.
Are systems protected if the macro removal policy is not enabled?
The vulnerability only exists when the Microsoft Office File Malicious Macro Removal Windows policy setting is enabled. Customers remain protected through the Cloud Anti-malware for Microsoft Office Files settings.
What updates are available?
Updates are available immediately for Falcon Sensor for Windows versions 7.34 and above, 7.32 LTS, and 7.16 for Windows 7/2008 R2 systems. An update is also available immediately for the CrowdStrike Laroux Malware Cleanup Tool.