CVE-2025-29816: Microsoft Word Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Overview

Severity
High (CVSS 7.5)
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Category
Security Feature Bypass
Exploit Status
Not Exploited
Exploitation Likelihood
Less Likely
Patch Tuesday
2025-Apr
Released
2025-04-08
Last Updated
2025-04-15
EPSS Score
0.13% (percentile: 32.8%)

Description

Improper input validation in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature over a network.

FAQ

Is the Preview Pane an attack vector for this vulnerability? No, the Preview Pane is not an attack vector. There are multiple update packages available for some of the affected software. Do I need to install all the updates listed in the Security Updates table for the software? Yes. Customers should apply all updates offered for the software installed on their systems. If multiple updates apply, they can be installed in any order. What kind of security feature could be bypassed by successfully exploiting this vulnerability? This vulnerability could allow an attacker to bypass specific functionality of the Office Protected View. According to the CVSS metric, the attack complexity is high (AC:H). What does that mean for this vulnerability? Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to gather information specific to the environment of the targeted component. According to the CVSS metric, user interaction is required (UI:R). What interaction would the user have to do? The user would have to click on a specially crafted URL to be compromised by the attacker. Are the updates for Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 and 2024 currently available? Yes. As of April 14, 2025, the security update for Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 and 2024 are available. Customers running Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 and 2024 should ensure the update is installed to be protected from this vulnerability.

Affected Products (14)

Microsoft Office

  • Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions
  • Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 64-bit Systems
  • Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021
  • Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions
  • Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions
  • Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions
  • Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions
  • Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024
  • Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit edition)
  • Microsoft Office 2016 (64-bit edition)
  • Microsoft Word 2016 (32-bit edition)
  • Microsoft Word 2016 (64-bit edition)

Security Updates (5)

Acknowledgments

Felix Boulet

Revision History

  • 2025-04-08: Information published.
  • 2025-04-15: Microsoft is announcing the availability of the security updates for Microsoft Office for Mac. Customers running affected Mac software should install the update for their product to be protected from this vulnerability. Customers running other Microsoft Office software do not need to take any action. See the Release Notes for more information and download links.