CVE-2026-96995: Microsoft Office Word Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

High (CVSS 7.8)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Elevation of Privilege

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Less Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Oct

Released

2026-10-13

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Word allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

FAQ

Is the Preview Pane an attack vector for this vulnerability? No, the Preview Pane is not an attack vector. Are the updates for the Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac currently available? The security update for Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 and 2024 are not immediately available. The updates will be released as soon as possible, and when they are available, customers will be notified via a revision to this CVE information. What privileges could be gained by an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability? An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges.

Affected Products (9)

Microsoft Office

• Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions
• Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions
• Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions
• Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions
• Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 64-bit Systems
• Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021
• Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2024
• Microsoft Office 365 for Mac

Acknowledgments

0ccbbf129444eb66344ccafb92b00df4

Revision History

• 2026-10-13: Information published.