How severe is CVE-2019-0540?

CVE-2019-0540 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-2019-0540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 13% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-0540?

CVE-2019-0540 primarily affects Microsoft Excel Viewer. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-0540?

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

When was CVE-2019-0540 published?

CVE-2019-0540 was published on 2019-03-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-0540

CVE-2019-0540 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Excel Viewer with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 13% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-601.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 13% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-601
Affected product: Microsoft Excel Viewer
Published: 2019-03-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft Office does not validate URLs.An attacker could send a victim a specially crafted file, which could trick the victim into entering credentials, aka 'Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability'.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-0540?: A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft Office does not validate URLs.An attacker could send a victim a specially crafted file, which could trick the victim into entering credentials, aka 'Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability'.
How severe is CVE-2019-0540?: CVE-2019-0540 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-2019-0540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 13% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-0540?: CVE-2019-0540 primarily affects Microsoft Excel Viewer. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-0540?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2019-0540 published?: CVE-2019-0540 was published on 2019-03-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:excel_viewer:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2013:*:*:*:rt:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_365_proplus:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:powerpoint_viewer:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word_viewer:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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