CVE-2026-20948
published 2026-01-13CVE-2026-20948: Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
PriorityP343high7.8CVSS 3.1
AVLACLPRNUIRSUCHIHAH
EPSS
0.53%
41.0th percentile
Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Affected
28 ranges· showing 25
| Vendor | Product | Version range | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| microsoft | microsoft_365_apps_for_enterprise | >= 16.0.1 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| microsoft | microsoft_office_2019 | >= 19.0.0 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| microsoft | microsoft_office_ltsc_2021 | >= 16.0.1 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| microsoft | microsoft_office_ltsc_2024 | >= 16.0.0 < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
| microsoft | microsoft_office_ltsc_for_mac_2021 | >= 16.0.1 < 16.105.26011018 | 16.105.26011018 |
| microsoft | microsoft_office_ltsc_for_mac_2024 | >= 16.0.0 < 16.105.26011018 | 16.105.26011018 |
| microsoft | microsoft_sharepoint_enterprise_server_2016 | >= 16.0.0 < 16.0.5535.1001 | 16.0.5535.1001 |
| microsoft | microsoft_sharepoint_server_2019 | >= 16.0.0 < 16.0.10417.20083 | 16.0.10417.20083 |
| microsoft | microsoft_word_2016 | >= 16.0.1 < 16.0.5535.1000 | 16.0.5535.1000 |
| microsoft | office | — | — |
| microsoft | office_long_term_servicing_channel | — | — |
| microsoft | office_long_term_servicing_channel | — | — |
| microsoft | sharepoint_server | — | — |
| microsoft | sharepoint_server | — | — |
| microsoft | word | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_365_apps_for_enterprise_for_32-bit_systems | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_365_apps_for_enterprise_for_64-bit_systems | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_2019_for_32-bit_editions | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_2019_for_64-bit_editions | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_ltsc_2021_for_32-bit_editions | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_ltsc_2021_for_64-bit_editions | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_ltsc_2024_for_32-bit_editions | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_ltsc_2024_for_64-bit_editions | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_ltsc_for_mac_2021 | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_office_ltsc_for_mac_2024 | — | — |
CVSS provenance
nvdv3.17.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vendor_msrc7.8HIGH
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GHSA
GHSA-cwwv-g5cv-g7hc: Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally
ghsa_unreviewed·2026-01-13
CVE-2026-20948 [HIGH] CWE-822 GHSA-cwwv-g5cv-g7hc: Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally
Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Microsoft
Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
vendor_msrc·2026-01-13·CVSS 7.8
CVE-2026-20948 [HIGH] CWE-822 Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description: Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
FAQ: According to the CVSS metric, the attack vector is local (AV:L). Why does the CVE title indicate that this is a remote code execution?
The word Remote in the title refers to the location of the attacker. This type of exploit is sometimes referred to as Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE). The attack itself is carried out locally. This means an attacker or victim needs to execute code from the local machine to exploit the vulnerability.
FAQ: According to the CVSS metric, user interaction is required (UI:R). What interaction would the user have to do?
An attacker must send a user a malicious Office file and convince
No detection rules found.
No public exploits indexed.
Bleepingcomputer
Microsoft January 2026 Patch Tuesday fixes 3 zero-days, 114 flaws
blogs_bleepingcomputer·2026-01-13·CVSS 5.5
[MEDIUM] Microsoft January 2026 Patch Tuesday fixes 3 zero-days, 114 flaws
## Microsoft January 2026 Patch Tuesday fixes 3 zero-days, 114 flaws
## Lawrence Abrams
57 Elevation of Privilege vulnerabilities
3 Security Feature Bypass vulnerabilities
22 Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities
22 Information Disclosure vulnerabilities
2 Denial of Service vulnerabilities
5 Spoofing vulnerabilities
When BleepingComputer reports on Patch Tuesday security updates, we only count those released by Microsoft today. Therefore, the number of flaws does not include Microsoft Edge (1 flaw) and Mariner vulnerabilities fixed earlier this month.
To learn more about the non-security updates released today, you can review our dedicated articles on the Windows 11 KB5074109 & KB5073455 cumulative updates and Windows 10 KB5073724 extended security update .
## 3 zero-days, one ex
Wiz
CVE-2026-20948 Impact, Exploitability, and Mitigation Steps | Wiz
blogs_wiz·CVSS 7.8
CVE-2026-20948 [HIGH] CVE-2026-20948 Impact, Exploitability, and Mitigation Steps | Wiz
## CVE-2026-20948 :
vulnerability analysis and mitigation
Untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Source : NVD
## 7.8
Score
Published January 13, 2026
Severity HIGH
CNA Score 7.8
Has Public Exploit No
Has CISA KEV Exploit No
CISA KEV Release Date N/A
CISA KEV Due Date N/A
Exploitation Probability Percentile (EPSS) 6.6
Exploitation Probability (EPSS) N/A
Affected packages and libraries
word
Sources
NVD
Nix Severity HIGH No Fix Added at: Jan 19, 2026
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2026-01-13
Published