CVE-2026-20949
published 2026-01-13CVE-2026-20949: Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
PriorityP341high7.8CVSS 3.1
AVLACLPRNUIRSUCHIHAH
EPSS
0.41%
33.2th percentile
Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
Affected
15 ranges
| 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_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 | office_long_term_servicing_channel | — | — |
| microsoft | office_long_term_servicing_channel | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_365_apps_for_enterprise_for_32-bit_systems | — | — |
| msrc | microsoft_365_apps_for_enterprise_for_64-bit_systems | — | — |
| 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-2vvv-3xfp-234v: Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally
ghsa_unreviewed·2026-01-13
CVE-2026-20949 [HIGH] CWE-284 GHSA-2vvv-3xfp-234v: Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally
Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
Microsoft
Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
vendor_msrc·2026-01-13·CVSS 7.8
CVE-2026-20949 [HIGH] CWE-284 Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Description: Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
FAQ: What kind of security feature could be bypassed by successfully exploiting this vulnerability?
The security feature bypassed is the macro security controls, specifically the setting that disables XL4 macros (Excel 4.0 macros).
FAQ: According to the CVSS metric, user interaction is required (UI:R). What interaction would the user have to do?
The user must open the malicious workbook, enable editing, and then click the attacker‑supplied Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) button, which triggers the XL4 macro despite Trust Center protections.
FAQ: Is the Preview Pane an attack vector for this vulnerability?
N
No detection rules found.
No public exploits indexed.
Qualys
Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Security Update Review
blogs_qualys·2026-01-13
Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Security Update Review
## Table of Contents
Microsoft Patch Tuesday forJanuary2026
Adobe Patches for January 2026
Zero-day Vulnerabilities Patched inJanuaryPatch Tuesday Edition
Critical Severity Vulnerabilities Patched inJanuaryPatch Tuesday Edition
Other Microsoft Vulnerability Highlights
Microsoft Release Summary
Discover and Prioritize Vulnerabilities inVulnerability Management, Detection & Response (VMDR)
Rapid Response with TruRisk Eliminate
EVALUATE Vendor-Suggested Mitigation withPolicy Audit(PA)
Qualys Monthly Webinar Series
Starting the year on a security-first note, Microsoft’s January 2026 Patch Tuesday resolves several vulnerabilities that could impact enterprise environments. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know.
## Microsoft Patch Tuesday for January 2026
This month’s rel
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
Qualys
Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Security Update Review | Qualys
blogs_qualys·2026-01-13
Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Security Update Review | Qualys
#### Table of Contents
- Microsoft Patch Tuesday forJanuary2026
- Adobe Patches for January 2026
- Zero-day Vulnerabilities Patched inJanuaryPatch Tuesday Edition
- Critical Severity Vulnerabilities Patched inJanuaryPatch Tuesday Edition
- Other Microsoft Vulnerability Highlights
- Microsoft Release Summary
- Discover and Prioritize Vulnerabilities inVulnerability Management, Detection & Response (VMDR)
- Rapid Response with TruRisk Eliminate
- EVALUATE Vendor-Suggested Mitigation withPolicy Audit(PA)
- Qualys Monthly Webinar Series
Starting the year on a security-first note, Microsoft’s January 2026 Patch Tuesday resolves several vulnerabilities that could impact enterprise environments. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know.
## Microsoft Patch Tuesday for January 2026
Thi
Wiz
CVE-2026-20949 Impact, Exploitability, and Mitigation Steps | Wiz
blogs_wiz·CVSS 7.8
CVE-2026-20949 [HIGH] CVE-2026-20949 Impact, Exploitability, and Mitigation Steps | Wiz
## CVE-2026-20949 :
vulnerability analysis and mitigation
Improper access control in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature 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) 5.2
Exploitation Probability (EPSS) N/A
Sources
NVD
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2026-01-13
Published