How severe is CVE-2008-0081?

CVE-2008-0081 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2008-0081 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 58% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-0081?

CVE-2008-0081 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-0081?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-0081 published?

CVE-2008-0081 was published on 2008-01-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-0081

CVE-2008-0081 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 58% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-908.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 58% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-908
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2008-01-16
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3 through 2003 SP2, Viewer 2003, and Office 2004 for Mac allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted macros, aka "Macro Validation Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-3490.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-0081?: Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3 through 2003 SP2, Viewer 2003, and Office 2004 for Mac allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted macros, aka "Macro Validation Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-3490.
How severe is CVE-2008-0081?: CVE-2008-0081 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2008-0081 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 58% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-0081?: CVE-2008-0081 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-0081?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-0081 published?: CVE-2008-0081 was published on 2008-01-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2000:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2002:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2003:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:2003:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2004:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*

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