CVE-2019-9853
CVE-2019-9853 is a high-severity vulnerability in Libreoffice with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-116.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v2: 6.8
- EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (87th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-116
- Affected product: Libreoffice
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
LibreOffice documents can contain macros. The execution of those macros is controlled by the document security settings, typically execution of macros are blocked by default. A URL decoding flaw existed in how the urls to the macros within the document were processed and categorized, resulting in the possibility to construct a document where macro execution bypassed the security settings. The documents were correctly detected as containing macros, and prompted the user to their existence within the documents, but macros within the document were subsequently not controlled by the security settings allowing arbitrary macro execution This issue affects: LibreOffice 6.2 series versions prior to 6.2.7; LibreOffice 6.3 series versions prior to 6.3.1.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2019-9853?
- LibreOffice documents can contain macros. The execution of those macros is controlled by the document security settings, typically execution of macros are blocked by default. A URL decoding flaw existed in how the urls to the macros within the document were processed and categorized, resulting in the possibility to construct a document where macro execution bypassed the security settings. The documents were correctly detected as containing macros, and prompted the user to their existence within the documents, but macros within the document were subsequently not controlled by the security settings allowing arbitrary macro execution This issue affects: LibreOffice 6.2 series versions prior to 6.2.7; LibreOffice 6.3 series versions prior to 6.3.1.
- How severe is CVE-2019-9853?
- CVE-2019-9853 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-2019-9853 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (87th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2019-9853?
- CVE-2019-9853 affects Libreoffice. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2019-9853?
- 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-2019-9853 published?
- CVE-2019-9853 was published on 2019-09-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-12/msg00040.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156474/Open-Xchange-App-Suite-Documents-Server-Side-Request-Forgery.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Feb/23
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/19c917f7c8a0d8f62142046fabfe3e2c7d6091ef1f92b99c6e79e24e%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/27339e8a9a1e9bb47fbdb939b338256d0356250a1974aaf4d774f683%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/306a374361891eb17c6cffc99c3d7be1d3152a99c839d4231edc1631%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3a5570ca5cd14ad08e24684c71cfeff3a507f108fe3cf30ba4f58226%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/4ae0e6e52600f408d943ded079d314733ce188b04b04471464f89c4f%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/70da9481dca267405e1d79e53942264765ef3f55c9a563c3737e3926%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7394e6b5f78a878bd0c44e9bc9adf90b8cdf49e9adc0f287145aba9b%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/9dc85d9937ad7f101047c53f78c00e8ceb135eaeff7dcf4724b46f2c%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a5231ad45b030b54828c7b0b62a7e7d4b48481c7cb83ff628e07fa43%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a540d1b6f9a7ebb206adba02839f654a6ee63a7b0976f559a847e49a%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ca216900abd846f0220fe18b95f9f787bdbe0e87fa4eee822073cd69%40%3Ccommits.openoffice.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00005.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KQGBRSD73KTDZ2MPAOL7FBWO3SQVYE5B/
- https://www.libreoffice.org/about-us/security/advisories/CVE-2019-9853/
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:libreoffice:libreoffice:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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