Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Products

CVE-2025-21365

What is CVE-2025-21365?

CVE-2025-21365 is a remote code execution vulnerability that resides in Microsoft Office products, which are widely used for document creation, data analysis, and communication within organizations. This vulnerability presents a significant risk as it may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a user's system, leading to potentially severe consequences for organizations that rely on these tools for critical operations. The exploitation of this flaw could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business processes, and compromise of integrity within the affected systems.

Technical Details

CVE-2025-21365 stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input in Microsoft Office applications. When a maliciously crafted document is opened, the vulnerability can be triggered, enabling an attacker to execute code at the same privilege level as the user. This means that if a non-administrative user opens such a document, the attack will have the same limited privileges, but if an administrative user is exploited, the attack could compromise critical system components. The flaw affects various versions of Microsoft Office products, making a broad range of organizations vulnerable to this threat.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-21365

1. Unauthorized System Access: Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized control over the affected system, allowing attackers to execute malicious software, manipulate files, and access sensitive information.

2. Data Breaches: The vulnerability poses a significant risk of data breaches, as attackers could gain access to confidential documents, intellectual property, and personal information, potentially leading to regulatory penalties and reputation damage.

3. Operational Disruption: Organizations could face severe disruptions in their operations if an attack occurs via this vulnerability. The execution of malicious code may lead to system crashes, loss of productivity, and the need for extensive remediation efforts.

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