How severe is CVE-2011-1279?

CVE-2011-1279 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2011-1279 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 17% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-1279?

CVE-2011-1279 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-2011-1279?

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-2011-1279 published?

CVE-2011-1279 was published on 2011-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2011-1279

CVE-2011-1279 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 17% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 17% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2011-06-16
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3 and 2003 SP3, Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, and Open XML File Format Converter for Mac do not properly validate record information during parsing of Excel spreadsheets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted spreadsheet, aka "Excel Out of Bounds WriteAV Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-1279?: Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3 and 2003 SP3, Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, and Open XML File Format Converter for Mac do not properly validate record information during parsing of Excel spreadsheets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted spreadsheet, aka "Excel Out of Bounds WriteAV Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2011-1279?: CVE-2011-1279 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2011-1279 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 17% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2011-1279?: CVE-2011-1279 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-2011-1279?: 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-2011-1279 published?: CVE-2011-1279 was published on 2011-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2002:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2003:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2004:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2008:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:open_xml_file_format_converter:*:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*

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