How severe is CVE-2012-2543?

CVE-2012-2543 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2012-2543 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 26% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-2543?

CVE-2012-2543 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-2543?

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-2012-2543 published?

CVE-2012-2543 was published on 2012-11-14 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-2543

CVE-2012-2543 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 26% places it in the 98th 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: 26% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2012-11-14
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel 2007 SP2 and SP3 and 2010 SP1; Office 2011 for Mac; Excel Viewer; and Office Compatibility Pack SP2 and SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted spreadsheet, aka "Excel Stack Overflow Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-2543?: Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel 2007 SP2 and SP3 and 2010 SP1; Office 2011 for Mac; Excel Viewer; and Office Compatibility Pack SP2 and SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted spreadsheet, aka "Excel Stack Overflow Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-2543?: CVE-2012-2543 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2012-2543 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 26% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-2543?: CVE-2012-2543 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-2543?: 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-2012-2543 published?: CVE-2012-2543 was published on 2012-11-14 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2007:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2007:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2010:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2010:sp1:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2011:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_compatibility_pack:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_compatibility_pack:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*

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