CVE-2026-81385: Microsoft Office Publisher Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Sep 8, 2026
·
Updated

Deserialization of untrusted data in Microsoft Office Publisher allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Other sources

Microsoft Office Publisher Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Microsoft

Affected Software

10 affected componentsFixes available
Microsoft Publisher 2016<16.0.5569.1002
16.0.5569.1002
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions<16.0.14334.20896
16.0.14334.20896
Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions<16.0.10417.20207
16.0.10417.20207
Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions<16.0.10417.20207
16.0.10417.20207
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise<16.0.20326.20138
16.0.20326.20138
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions<16.0.17932.20960
16.0.17932.20960
Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions<16.0.17932.20960
16.0.17932.20960
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise<16.0.20326.20138
16.0.20326.20138
Microsoft Publisher 2016<16.0.5569.1002
16.0.5569.1002
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions<16.0.14334.20896
16.0.14334.20896

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 16.0.5569.1002Patch KB5002644
  2. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 16.0.14334.20896
  3. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 16.0.10417.20207
  4. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 16.0.20326.20138
  5. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 16.0.17932.20960

Event History

Sep 8, 2026
CVE Published
via Microsoft·02:00 PM
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·02:00 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·02:00 PM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·02:00 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Updated
via Microsoft·02:00 PM
Description
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:18 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:18 PM
DescriptionSeverity

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which Microsoft Office installations are listed as affected?

The affected software list includes Microsoft Publisher 2016; Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise; Office 2019 for 32-bit and 64-bit editions; Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit and 64-bit editions; and Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit and 64-bit editions.

2

Does exploitation require an authenticated account or user interaction?

The vulnerability is rated as requiring no privileges, so the attacker does not need an authenticated account. It does require user interaction.

3

What is the potential impact if exploitation succeeds?

An attacker can execute code, with high-rated impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Contact

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