How severe is CVE-2008-3471?

CVE-2008-3471 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-3471 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 52% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-3471?

CVE-2008-3471 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3471?

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-2008-3471 published?

CVE-2008-3471 was published on 2008-10-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-3471

CVE-2008-3471 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 52% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-787.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 52% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-787
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2008-10-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, 2003 SP2 and SP3, and 2007 Gold and SP1; Office Excel Viewer 2003 SP3; Office Excel Viewer; Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats Gold and SP1; Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac; and Open XML File Format Converter for Mac allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a BIFF file with a malformed record that triggers a user-influenced size calculation, aka "File Format Parsing Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3471?: Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, 2003 SP2 and SP3, and 2007 Gold and SP1; Office Excel Viewer 2003 SP3; Office Excel Viewer; Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats Gold and SP1; Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac; and Open XML File Format Converter for Mac allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a BIFF file with a malformed record that triggers a user-influenced size calculation, aka "File Format Parsing Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2008-3471?: CVE-2008-3471 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-3471 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 52% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-3471?: CVE-2008-3471 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-3471?: 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-2008-3471 published?: CVE-2008-3471 was published on 2008-10-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2003:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2003:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2007:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2007:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:2003:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:2003:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2004:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2008:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_compatibility_pack:2007:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_compatibility_pack:2007:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:open_xml_file_format_converter:-:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*

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