Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Word

CVE-2025-29820

What is CVE-2025-29820?

CVE-2025-29820 is a vulnerability found in Microsoft Office Word, a widely used word processing application that facilitates document creation and editing. This specific vulnerability, categorized as a "use after free" flaw, permits an unauthorized attacker to execute code on a local system. The potential risk posed by this vulnerability can severely impact organizations by granting attackers the means to manipulate affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and system integrity breaches.

Technical Details

The CVE-2025-29820 vulnerability arises from improper memory management within Microsoft Office Word. The "use after free" error means that the application fails to properly manage memory access after an object has been freed or deallocated. This inconsistency can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the application, allowing them to take control of the system or execute arbitrary commands.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-29820

1. Unauthorized Code Execution: The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This can lead to complete system compromise, enabling attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or further propagate attacks.

2. Data Breaches: Organizations could experience significant data breaches as attackers exploit this vulnerability to access confidential documents and user data stored within Word. This could result in both financial losses and reputational damage due to leaked information.

3. Operational Disruption: The exploitation of CVE-2025-29820 may disrupt normal business operations by compromising Microsoft Office Word functionality or leading to system outages. Such disruptions can hinder productivity and result in prolonged downtime for affected users.

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