How severe is CVE-2017-0020?

CVE-2017-0020 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-0020 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-2017-0020?

CVE-2017-0020 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-0020?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-0020 published?

CVE-2017-0020 was published on 2017-03-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-0020

CVE-2017-0020 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 16% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Microsoft Excel
Published: 2017-03-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Excel 2016, Excel 2010 SP2, Excel 2013 RT SP1, and Office Web Apps Server 2013 SP1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This vulnerability is different from those described in CVE-2017-0006, CVE-2017-0019, CVE-2017-0030, CVE-2017-0031, CVE-2017-0052, and CVE-2017-0053.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-0020?: Microsoft Excel 2016, Excel 2010 SP2, Excel 2013 RT SP1, and Office Web Apps Server 2013 SP1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This vulnerability is different from those described in CVE-2017-0006, CVE-2017-0019, CVE-2017-0030, CVE-2017-0031, CVE-2017-0052, and CVE-2017-0053.
How severe is CVE-2017-0020?: CVE-2017-0020 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-0020 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-2017-0020?: CVE-2017-0020 primarily affects Microsoft Excel. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-0020?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-0020 published?: CVE-2017-0020 was published on 2017-03-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2013:sp1:*:*:rt:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_web_apps:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*

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