How severe is CVE-2008-0116?

CVE-2008-0116 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-0116 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 48% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-0116?

CVE-2008-0116 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-0116?

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-2008-0116 published?

CVE-2008-0116 was published on 2008-03-11 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-0116

CVE-2008-0116 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 48% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 48% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2008-03-11
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3 through 2003 SP2, Viewer 2003, Compatibility Pack, and Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed tags in rich text, aka "Excel Rich Text Validation Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-0116?: Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3 through 2003 SP2, Viewer 2003, Compatibility Pack, and Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed tags in rich text, aka "Excel Rich Text Validation Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2008-0116?: CVE-2008-0116 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-0116 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 48% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-0116?: CVE-2008-0116 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-0116?: 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-2008-0116 published?: CVE-2008-0116 was published on 2008-03-11 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (7)

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:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2008:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_compatibility_pack_for_word_excel_ppt_2007:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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