How severe is CVE-2015-2520?

CVE-2015-2520 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2015-2520 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 28% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-2520?

CVE-2015-2520 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-2520?

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-2015-2520 published?

CVE-2015-2520 was published on 2015-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2015-2520

CVE-2015-2520 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 28% 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: 28% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2015-09-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Excel 2007 SP3, Excel 2010 SP2, Excel for Mac 2011 and 2016, Office Compatibility Pack SP3, and Excel Viewer allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-2520?: Microsoft Excel 2007 SP3, Excel 2010 SP2, Excel for Mac 2011 and 2016, Office Compatibility Pack SP3, and Excel Viewer allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2015-2520?: CVE-2015-2520 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2015-2520 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 28% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2015-2520?: CVE-2015-2520 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2015-2520?: 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-2015-2520 published?: CVE-2015-2520 was published on 2015-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2007:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2011:*:*:*:*:mac:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2013:sp1:*:*:rt:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2016:*:*:*:*:mac:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_compatibility_pack:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*

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