How severe is CVE-2016-3279?

CVE-2016-3279 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2016-3279 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3279?

CVE-2016-3279 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3279?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2016-3279 published?

CVE-2016-3279 was published on 2016-07-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3279

CVE-2016-3279 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 16% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-254.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 16% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-254
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2016-07-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Excel 2010 SP2, PowerPoint 2010 SP2, Word 2010 SP2, Excel 2013 SP1, PowerPoint 2013 SP1, Word 2013 SP1, Excel 2013 RT SP1, PowerPoint 2013 RT SP1, Word 2013 RT SP1, Excel 2016, Word 2016, Word Automation Services on SharePoint Server 2010 SP2, and Office Web Apps 2010 SP2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted XLA file, aka "Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3279?: Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Excel 2010 SP2, PowerPoint 2010 SP2, Word 2010 SP2, Excel 2013 SP1, PowerPoint 2013 SP1, Word 2013 SP1, Excel 2013 RT SP1, PowerPoint 2013 RT SP1, Word 2013 RT SP1, Excel 2016, Word 2016, Word Automation Services on SharePoint Server 2010 SP2, and Office Web Apps 2010 SP2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted XLA file, aka "Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2016-3279?: CVE-2016-3279 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2016-3279 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3279?: CVE-2016-3279 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3279?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2016-3279 published?: CVE-2016-3279 was published on 2016-07-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (14)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_rt:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_web_apps:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:powerpoint:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:powerpoint:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:powerpoint_rt:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sharepoint_server:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word_rt:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*

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