How severe is CVE-2017-0281?

CVE-2017-0281 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-2017-0281 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-0281?

CVE-2017-0281 primarily affects Microsoft Office. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-0281?

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-2017-0281 published?

CVE-2017-0281 was published on 2017-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-0281

CVE-2017-0281 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Office with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 16% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 16% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Microsoft Office
Published: 2017-05-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Office 2013 SP1, Office 2016, Office Online Server 2016, Office Web Apps 2010 SP2,Office Web Apps 2013 SP1, Project Server 2013 SP1, SharePoint Enterprise Server 2013 SP1, SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1, Sharepoint Server 2010 SP2, Word 2016, and Skype for Business 2016 allow a remote code execution vulnerability when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0261 and CVE-2017-0262.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-0281?: Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Office 2013 SP1, Office 2016, Office Online Server 2016, Office Web Apps 2010 SP2,Office Web Apps 2013 SP1, Project Server 2013 SP1, SharePoint Enterprise Server 2013 SP1, SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1, Sharepoint Server 2010 SP2, Word 2016, and Skype for Business 2016 allow a remote code execution vulnerability when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0261 and CVE-2017-0262.
How severe is CVE-2017-0281?: CVE-2017-0281 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-2017-0281 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-0281?: CVE-2017-0281 primarily affects Microsoft Office. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-0281?: 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-2017-0281 published?: CVE-2017-0281 was published on 2017-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (14)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2007:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_online_server:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_web_apps:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_web_apps:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:project_server:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sharepoint_foundation:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sharepoint_server:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sharepoint_server:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sharepoint_server:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:skype_for_business:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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